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DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


The  Glenn  Negley  Collection 
of  Utopian  Literature 


PRESENTED  BY 

W.  W.  FLOWERS 


NATIONAL    | 
LIBRARY  BINDERY 


IWESTSPRINGMUD 
CAST  CLEVELAND 
IN01MAP0LIS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2010  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/memoirsoflifeofl01leec 


M    E    M    O     I    K'   S 

OF    THE    LIFE 

^OF    THE    LATE 

CHARLES    LEE,   ESQi 

LISUTENANT-C0L0NEL  OF  TBS   EOS  I  Y-I"OCRTII  REGIMENT;   COLONEL 

IN    THE    PORTUGUESE    SERVICE;    M.\  JOR    GENER  W  AND    AIDDL 

C  \ME  TO  THE  KING  OF  POLAND,  AND  SECOND  IN  COMMAKD 

IN  THE  SERVICE  Or  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 

DURING  THE  REVOLUTION. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED, 

HIS  POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY  ESSAYS: 

ALSO, 

LETTERS 

TO  AND  FROM 

MANY  DISTINGUISHED  CHARACTER  \ 

EOTH  IN  EUROPE  AND  AMERIC  \. 
THE    SECOND    AMERICAN    EDITION. 


N  E  W  -  r  0  R  K: 

Printed  by  T.  ALLEN,  Bookseller  and  Stationer, 

N°.  iz,  Queen-Street. 

1    7   9   3- 


V 


L4T7) 

PREFACE. 

TH  E  following  Memoirs  and  Letters  of  the 
late  Major  General  Lee,  have  been  in  the 
pofTcflion  of  the  Editor  ilnce  the  year  1786. 
They  were  tranfmitted  from  America  to  Eng- 
land by  the  gentleman  whofe  name  is  mbferibed 
to  the  memoirs,  and  who  was  a  member  of 
Congrefs  for  the  State  of  Georgia,  for  the  pur- 
pofe  of  publication.  In  their  manufcript  Hate 
they  have  been  feen  by  feveral  perfons-  in  Enr-» 
land,  who  expreffed  a  ftrong  defire  of  putting 
them  to  the  preis,  which  the  avocations  of  the 
perfon  to  whom  they  were  entrufted,  and  his 
not  being  acquainted  with  iuch  undertakings, 
had  caufed  him  to  neglect. 

As  the  fubjecf  of  Revolutions  is  again  renew- 
ed by  what  has  occurred  in  France,  it  is  pre- 
fumed,  that  whatever  relates  to  the  Mother- 
Revolution,  that  of  America  will,  at  leaft,  auonl 
entertainment  to  the  curious,  and  contribute 
to  encreafe  the  general  flock  of  hiftorical  know- 
ledge. 

The  reader  may  expect  to  find,  in  almoft  eve- 
ry thing  that  relates  to  General  Lee,  a  great  deal 
of  the  Itrong  republican  character.  His  attach- 
ment to  principles  of  liberty,  without  regard 
place,  made  him  the  citizen  of  the  world  rather 
than  of  any  country ;  and  from  his  carlielr. 
•  youth  to. the  end  of  his  career,  this  general  trait 
in  his  character  may  be  traced. 

245024 


(     iv-     ) 

So  little  of  the  courtier  had  he  about  him, 
that  he  never  descended  to  intimate  any  thing. 
Whatever  he  fpoke  or  wrote  was  in  the  fullcft 
ityle  of  expreffion,  or  ftrong  figure.  He  ufed 
to  fay  of  Mr.  Paine,  the  author  of  Common  Senfe, 
in  America,  and  fince  of  Rights  of  Man,  in  Eng- 
land, (of  whofe  writings  he  was  a  great  admir- 
er) that  "  he  burji  forth  upon  the  world  like  Jove 
in  thunder ;"  and  this  ftrength  of  conception, 
io  natural  to  General  Lee,  had  it  not  been  mix- 
ed with  a  turn  equally  as  ftrong  for  fatire,  and 
too  much  eccentricity  of  temper,  would  have 
rendered  his  converiation  perpetually  entertain- 
ing. 

Though  the  Memoirs  and  every  Letter  in  this 
publication  are  moft  faithfully  printed  from  the 
copy  tranfmitted  from  America,  the  Editor  has 
omitted  many  whole  letters,  and  alfo  his  trial 
before  the  Court  Martial,  as  not  fufEciently  in- 
terefting  to  balance  the  expence  to  which  they 
would  have  extended  the  work.  But  if  any  of 
the  particular  friends  or  relations  of  General 
Lee  fhnuM  be  delirous  of  feeing  them,  thev  may 
be  indulged  with  the  opportunity,  by  leaving  a 
line  at  the  publifhYrs.  directed  to  the 

EDITOR. 

LpKJctDV)  F'^-  1792. 


CONTENTS. 


N      T      E      N      T      S. 


Page 

MEMOIRS  of  Major  .General  Lee,      -      i — 47 
Miscellaneous  Pieces,  -  -  48 — 125 

Sketch  of  a  Plan  for  the  Formation  of  a  Mili- 
tary Colony,  -    .  -         -  48 
An  Eflayon  the  Coup  d'Oeily              -              -  5  $ 

A  Picture  of  the  Countefs  of ,  -        v     63 

An    Account  of   a    Converfation,  chiefly  relative 

to  tlit1   Army,  -  -  -  6$ 

An  Epiltlo  to  David  Hume,  Efq.  -  -  73 

A  Political  Eflay,  -  -  -  70 

A  Breakfaft  for  R ,  -  -         -  84 

To  the  People  of  America,  -  -  Stf 

To  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congrefs  of 

Virginia,  -  IOI. 

On  a  famous  trial  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
between  General  Moftyn,  Governor  of  Minorca, 
and  an  Inhabitant  cf  that  Iflund,  -         -  107 

A  fhort  Hiilrry  of  the  Treatment  of  Major  Gene- 
ral Conway,  late  in  the  Service  of  America,  11 1 
Propofals   for   the  Formation  of  a   Body  of  Light 
Troops  ready  to  be  detached   on  an  emergent 
Occafion,            -            -            -           *-          11 6 
Some  Queries,  Political  and  Military,  humbly  offer- 
ed to  the  Coniideration  of  the  Public,           -          118 
Copy  of  General  Lee's  Will,              -             -           1 33 
L:  1  1  ers  to  General  Lee  from  feveral  eminent 
Characters  both  in  Europe  and  America,      j  26 — 1 86 
m  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,              -              -            126 

William  Bunbury,  -  -  j28 

f, Thomas  Wroughton,  -  -  120 

W.  Pater fon,  -  -  .  x^2 

——Edmund  Burke.        .    -  ».  .  Xj- 

245024  From 


C     vi.      J 


Page 
From  Thomas  Gamble,  -  -  -  137 

1 Horatio  Gates,  -  ibid. 


* 


-  -               -          140 

• George  Lux,              -  -              .              143 

' An  Old  Friend,              -  ibid. 

■ Alex.  White,              -  -              -          .144 

— ' —  Trevor  Newland,            -  -            -            1 ;  o 

B.  Franklin,             -       -  -             -              154 

1 John  Adarns,              *  -              -             156 

John  Hancock,             -  -             -          197 

the  Same,              -           -  -         -           158 

; Horatio  Gates,             -  -            -           159 

■ B.  Franklin,              -  -              -               160 

— — John  Hancock,              -  -              -          i6i 

G.  Wafhington,             -  -             -         162 

Thomas  Burk,             -  -             -          164 

Geo.  Johnfcn,              -■  -              -            166 

1 H.  Clinton,           -           -  -          -          167 

John  Page,           -           -  -           -           168 

An  Old  Friend,              -  -             -          172 

1 G.  Wafhington,              -  -          -              173 

■ the  Same,              «-            -  -           -           1 7  j 

Refolves  of  Congrefs,  mentioned  in  the  preceeding 

letter,                 -             -  -             -             177 

From  Jofeph  Reed,             -  -             -          178 

****,             -             -    ■  -           18© 

1 W.  Livingfton,             -  -             -          181 

An  Old   Friend,               -  -                          1 84 

E.  Edwards,              -  -              -              185 

Letters  from  General  Lee,         -  -         186 

To  the  King  of  Poland              -  ibid. 

—  the  Prince  of  Poland,              -  -                190 

—  Mr.  Coleman,              -  -             -              193 

—  Mrs.  M'Cauley,             -  -             -             196 

—  Louifa  C.  200 

—  Lord  Thanet,              -  -              -              2ci  ^ 
■ —  the  King  of  Poland,             -  -           -           203 

—  Sir  C.  -Da-vers,              9  204 

To 


(      vii,      ) 

Paoi 

To  his  Grace  the  Duke  of ,  ■  it 6 

. —  Gen.  Burgoyue,  '-  208 

From  J.  Burgoyne  to  Gen.  Lee,          -  -  213 

Gen.  Lee's  Anfwer,  -  -  -  217 

To  Gen.  Burgoyne,  -  -  -  218 

—  Gen.  Gage,  -  -  -  222 

—  the  Same,  *  -  -  -  2:4 

,  -  -  -  -  226 

—-John  Hancock,  -  -  -  227 

U-  the  Same,  -  -  -  229 

J — Edward  Rutledge,  Efq.  -  -  231 

—  the  Hon.  the  Prefident  of  the  Council  of  Safety, 
North-Carolina,  -  232 

—  Samuel  Purviance,  Efq.  •  -  233. 

—  the  Hon.  the  Pref.  of  the  Committee  of  Safety, 

—  His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Preiident  of  the 

Continental  Congrefs,  -  -  2^£ 

—  John  Page,  Efq.  V.  P.  of  the  Committee,  238 
1 —  Colonel  Muhlenburg,          -                        -            ibid, 

—  Edmund  Pendleton,  Pref.  of  the  Committee  of 

Safety,  -  -  -  -  239 

—  His  Excellency  John  Hancock,   Efq.         -          241 
t-  Edmund  Pendleton,  Efq.  Prefident  of  the  Con- 
vention, -  -  -  247 

246 


Orders,  -  247 — 249 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Pref.  of  the   Conti- 
nental Congrefs,  -  -  250 
I —  The   Hon.   Edmund  Pendleton,  Pref.  of  the 

Convention  of  Virginia,  -  -  253 


-o 


—  Tlis  Excellency  Patrick  Henry,  Jun.  Governor 

of  Virginia,  -  -  -  257 

" —  Richard  Peters,  Efq.  Secretary  to  the  Board  of 

War  and  Ordnance,  -  -  260 

—  His  Excellency  John  Hancock,         *■         4         16$ 

—  the  Board  of  Ordnance,  -  -  266 

—  the  Governor  of  Cape  Francois,      ,~-         -        2 70 

To 


(     viii.     ) 

Page 

To  Doctor  Rufh,  with  a  character  of  General 
Hov 

—  Ti  l<  v.cy  Henry  Laurens, 

—  Mis  F b,  >• 

—  the  Same,  .... 
• —  Mifjj  Sidney  Lee,  - 
*~-  the  Same,             ■         P         .  ■  »■ 


MEMOIRSI 


M     EM     O     I     R     S 


0    F 


K^rteuor     ^toicral    ..\>  >: 


THE  family  of  the  Lees  is  both  ancient  and  refpec- 
table,  many  of  them  having  had  connections  and 
intermarriages  with  the  principal  families  in  the  Englifh 
nation  ;  and,  from  a  pedigree  done  for  Mr.  Thomas 
Lee,*  diflributor  and  collector  of  the  {lamp-duties  for 
the  county  and  city  of  Chelter,  North  Wales,  we 
that  the  General's  father  was  John  Lee  of  Dernhal! 
in  the  faid  county,  who  was  fome  time  a  Captain  of 
Dragoons,  afterwards  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  General 
Barrel's  regiment  from  17:7  to  1742,  at  which  t'u 
was  promoted  to  a  Regiment  of  Foot.  He  married  Ifa- 
btila,  ft  cond  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Bunbury,  of  Stan- 
Key,  in  the  county  of  Chefter,  Baronet :  by  this  lady  he 
had  three  fons,  Thomas,  Harry  and  Charles,  the  youngefl, 
is  the  iubjeel  of  thefe  memoirs. 
Prom  his  early  youth  he  was  ardent  in  the  purfuit 
of  knowledge  ;  and  being  an  officer  at  eleven  years  o£ 
age,  may  be  confidered  as  born  in  the  army  ;  which, 
though  it  deprived  him  of  fome  regularity  with  refpedt 
to  the  mode  of  his  education,  yet  his  genius  led  him 
afliduou ft v  to  cultivate  the  fields  of  fcien.ee,  and  he  ac- 
quired a  competent  ikill  in  the  Greek  and  Latin  ;  while 
his  fondnefs  for  travelling  gave  him  alfo  an  opportunity 
of  attaining  the  Italian,  Spanilh,  German,  and  French 
languages.  B 

*  In  1723. 


L2     >    % 

Having  laid  a  (rood  foundation,  taclics  became  his  fa- 
vourite ftudy,  in  which  he  fpent  much  time  and  pain^, 
defiriiig  nothing  more  than  to  diftinguifh  himfelf  in  the 
profeilion  of  arms.  We-  find  him  very  early  in  Ame- 
rica, commanding  a  Company  of  Grenadiers  of  the  44th 
regiment ;  and  lie  was  at  the  battle  of  Ticonderoga, 
were  General  Abercrombie  was  defeated.  Here,  it  is 
laid,  he  was  lhot  through  the  body  ;  but  fortunately  his 
wound  did  not  prove  mortal. 

When  he  returned  to  England  from  America,  after 
the  reduction  of  Montreal,  he  found  a  general  peace  was 
in  contemplation.  The  ceiTion  of  Canada  was  talked  of, 
which  gave  great  uneafinefs  to  every  American,  as  it  ap- 
peared prejudicial  to  their  intereft  and  fafety.  On  this 
occafion  he  exerted  nimfelf,  and  publilhed  a  pamphlet 
Ihewing  the  importance  of  this  country,  which  was  much 
approved  of  by  all  the  friends  to  America.  The  cele- 
t luted  Dr.  Franklin,  in  particular,  was  pleafed  to  com- 
pliment him,  and  laid  "  that  it  could  not  fail  of  making 
a  falutary  imprefficn."  In  the  year  1762,  he  bore  a  Co- 
lonel's commiffion,  and  fei-ved  under  General  Burgoyne 
in  Portugal  •,  and  in  this  fervice  he  handfomely  diitin- 
guifhed  himfelf. 

The  Spaniards  had  formed  a  defigu  of  invading  that 
kingdom,  and  had  ailembled  an  army  on  the  frontiers  of 
Lftremadura,  with  an  intention  of  penetrating  into  the 
province  of  Alentejo.  Count  La  Lippe  was  the  coir, 
manding  officer  of  the  Portuguefe  army,  who  formed  a 
defign  of  attacking  an  advanced  body  of  the  Spaniards, 
winch  lay  on  their  frontiers,  in  a  town  called  Valentia  de 
Alcantara. 

This  enterprife  was  committed  to  Brigadier  General 
Burgoyne,  who  effected  a  complete  furprize  on  the  town, 
took  the  general  who  was  to  have  commanded  in  the  in- 
tended inyifion,  with  a  number  of  other  officers,  and 
one  of  the  beft  regiments  in  the  Spanifh  fervice  was  en- 
tirely deflroyed.  But  notwithstanding  this,  and  fcveral 
jftibfequent  flcirftnfhes,  the  Spanifh  army  continued  m»i- 
ot  the  country,  and  nothing  remained  but  the  paf- 

faee 


I 


(     3     ) 

fnge  of  the  Tagus,  to  enable  them  to  take  up  their  quar- 
ters in  Aler.tejo. 

General  Burgoyne,  who  was  potted  with  an  attention 
to  obltrucit  them  in  their  paflage,  lay  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, and  within  view  of  a  detached  camp,  compofed 
of  a  con fider able  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which  lay 
near  a  village  called  Villa  Velha,  As  he  obferved  that, 
the  enemy  kept  no  very  foldierly  guard  in  this  poll,  and 
were  uncovered  both  in  their  rear  and  their  flanks,  he 
conceived  a  defign  of  falling  on  them  by  furprize.  The 
execution  of  his  defign  was  entruftcd  to  his  friend  Colo- 
nel Lee,  who,  in  the  night  of  Oclober  8th,  fell  upon  their 
rear,  turned  their  camp,  made  a  confiderable  Daughter, 
difperfed  the  whole  party,  deftroyed  their  magazines,  and 
returned  with  fcarce  any  l< 

When  a  general  conclusion  was  at  length  put  to 
war,  he  returned  to  ten -land  from  Portugal,  after  ha 
received  the  thanks  of  his  Pojrtusuefe  Majefty  for  Iris 
fcrvices  ;  and  Count  La  Lippe  eecommendcd  him  in  tl  e 
ftrongeft  terms  to  the  Engiilh  Court.  He  had,  at  tins 
period,  a  friend  and  patron  in  high  office,  one  of  the 
principal  Secretaries  of  State  ;  fo  that  there  was  every 
reafon  for  him  to  have  cxpcQed  promotion  in  the  En- 
glifli  army.  Put  here  his  attachment,  his  enthufiafm  for 
America,  interfered,  and  prevented.  'Ihe  great  Indian, 
or  what  we  called  Pondiacks  War,  broke  out,  which 
the  minifterial  agents  thought  their  intereft  to  rep 
as  a  matter  of  no  confequence.  The  friends  of  America 
thought  the  reverfe,and  aliened  it  would  be  attended  with 
dreadful  wafte,  ravage,  and  defolation.  This  brought 
him  once  more  to  publifh  for  the  defence  and  pro'.ccVion 
of  this  country,by  which  lie  loll  the  favour  of  the  minif- 
try,  and  (hut  the  door  to  all  hopes  of  pediment  in  the 
Englifh  army.  But  he  could  not  live  in  idlenefs 
inactivity  :  he  left  his  native  country,  and  entered  into 
the  Poliih  fervice,  and  was  of  courfe  abfent  when  the 
Jftamp  act  pafled  ;  but  although  abfent,  he  did  not  ceafe 
labouring  in  the  caufe  of  America,  as  may  be  learned 
from  many  of  his  letters.     He  ufed  every  argument,  and 

exerted 


(     4     ) 

exerted  all  the  abilities  he  was  matter  of,  with  every  cor- 
reipondent  he  had,  in  either  Houfe  of  Parliament,  of 
any  weight  or  influence  :  and  at  the  fame  time,  he  had 
not  an  intonfiderable  number  in  both. 

It  mull  be  obferved  that  this  famous  a£t  had  divided 
almoft  every  court  in  Europe  into  two  different  parties  : 
fhe  one,  affertors  of  the  prerogative  of  the  Britifh  Parli- 
ament ;  the  other,  of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Ame- 
rica. General  Lee,  on  this  occafion,  pleaded  the  cauie 
of  the  Colonies  with  fuch  earneftnefs  as  almoft  to  break 
off  all  intercourfe  with  the  King's  ministers  at  the  Court 
of  Vienna,  men  that  he  perfonally  loved  and  efteemed  ; 
but,  at  the  fame  time,  it  was  thought  that  he  pleaded 
•  :th  fo  much  fuccefs  as  to  add  not  a  few  friends  and 
T.ruzans  to  America.  Thefe  circumftances  are  men- 
tioned, as  they  ierve  to  demonitrate  that  a  zeal  for  the 
welfare  of  the  Colonics,  from  the  General's  earlicft  ac- 
quaintance with  them,  had  been  a  ruling  principle  of 
his  life.  The  prefent  volumes  will  teftify  what  he  fa- 
cvificcd,  what  he  did  and  what  he  hazarded,  in  the  laft 
and  mod  important  conteft  which  feperated  the  Colo- 
nies from  their  parent  Mate  : — but  there  is  one  circum- 
stance that  feems  to  .claim  a  particular  attention  ;  which 
is,  that  of  all  the  officers  who  embarked  in  the  Ameri- 
can fervice,  he  was  the  only  man  who  could  acquire  no 
additional  rank,  and  perhaps  the  only  one  whofe  fortune 
could  not  have  been  impared,  or  at  leaft  the  tenure  by 
which  it  was  held,  changed  from  its  former  condition 
into  a  precarious  and  arbitrary  one,  by  the  fuccefs  of  the 
Britifh  miniftry's  fchemes  ;  for,  had  they  been  complet- 
ed to  the  full  extent  of  their  wiihes,  the  condition  of  his 
fortune  had  not  been  altered  for  the  worfe  :  his  fortune, 
though  not  great,  was  eafy,  and,  it  may  be  faid,  affluent, 
for  a  private  gentleman  a  detail  of  which  the  editor  is 
enabled  to  collect  from  his  papers. 

ill.  The  General  had  four  hundred  and  eighty  pounds 
per  annum t  on  a  mortgage  in  Jamaica,  paid  punctually. 

idly.  An  eltate  of  two  hundred  pounds  per  annum  in 
Miudlefex,  for  another  gentleman's  life  \  but  whofe  life 
he  had  eniured  again!*  his  own.  3dly. 


(     5     ) 

qdly.  A  thoufand  pounds  on  a  turnpike  in  England,  at 
four  per  cent,  intereft. 

4thl)%  One  thoufand  five  hundred  pounds,  at  five/>«* 
cent. 

cthly.  His  half-pay,  one  hundred  and  thirty-fix  pounds 
per  annum  ;  in  all,  nine  hundred  and  thirty-O]  ■  pound* 
pet  annum,  clear  income  :  befides  this,  about  twelve  hun- 
ch d  |  unds  in  his  agent's  hands,  and  different  debts. — I 
He  had,  Iikewife,  ten  thoufand  acres  of  land  in  the  iiland 
of  St.  John,  which  had  been  located  and  fettled  at  the 
expence  of  feven  hundred  pounds  •,  and  a  mandamus  for 
(wenty  thoufand  acres  in  Eaft  Florida. 

This  is  the  Hate  of  the  General's  fortune  when  h 
gaged  in  the   late   American  conteft ;  and  this  fori 
would  have  been  totally  unaffected  though  the  prerogative 
of  taxing  America  without  her  confent  had  been  cilab- 
lifhed  and  confirmed  :  the  full  pofleffion  of  it  wasfecure, 
and  independent  of  her  fate.     But  thefe  confideratioi  s 
did  not  influence  his  mind  :  he  gave  up  fecurity  for  in- 
fecurity,   certainty   for   uncertainty  ;  he   threw  into  the 
lap   of  America,  without   any   chance   of  winning  ;  he 
flaked  all  on  the  die  of  her  fortune  :  if  flic  fucceeded,  he 
could  not  be   better  ;  if  fhe  mifcarricd,  Ids    whol 
loll.  His  rank,  as  before  obferved,  acquired  no  addition  ; 
but  the  contrary  for  a  flop  was  put  to  its  progrefs  in  the 
two  other  Cervices,  the  Foiifh  and  the  Englifh. 

The  General  who  could  never  flay  long  in  one  place, 
during  the  years  1 7 7 1,  1772,  to  the  fall  of  1773,  had 
rambled  all  over  Europe  ;  but  we  can  collect  np thing 
material  relative  to  the  adventures  of  his  travels,  as  his 
memorandum-books  only  mention  the  names  of  the  towns 
and  cities  through  which  he  paiTed.  That  he  was  a  mod 
rapid  and  very  active  traveller,  is  evident :  it  appears  alfo, 
that  he  was  engaged  with  an  officer  in  Italy  in  an  affair 
of  honour,  by  which  he  loft  the  ufe  of  two  of  his  fingers ; 
but  having  recourfe  to  piftols,  the  Italian  was  flam,  and 
lie  immediately  obliged  to  fly  for  his  life.  His  warmth 
of  temper  drew  him  into  many  rencounters  of  this  kind  ; 
in  all  which  he  acquitted  bimfelf,  with  lingular  courage, 
B  2  fprightli 


{  6  ) 

fp'rightlinefs  of  imagination,  and  great  prcfence  of  mind. 

Much  diflatisfied  with  the  appearance  of  the  political 
horizon  at  London,  on  tlie  16th  of  Auguft  1773,  he 
embarked  on  board  the  packet  for  New-York,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  icth  of  November  following,  and  had  a 
very  i'evere  fit  of  the  gout.  At  this  period,  the  contro- 
verfy  between  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies  began  to 
be  ferious  -,  and  the  General  concerted  a  defign  of  taking 
a  part  in  favour  of  America,  in  cafe  it  came  to  an  open 
rupture. 

The  dcftru&ion  of  the  Britifh  Eaft-India  company's 
tea  at  Bofton,  the  16th  of  December,  was  a  prelude  to 
the  calamities  that  afterwards  enfued.  At  this  cviiis, 
General  Lee's  mind  was  not  inobfervant  or  inactive  j 
his  converfation,  his  pen,  animated  the  colonifts  to  a 
great  degree,  and  perfuaded  them  to  make  a  perfevering- 
refiftance. 

During  this  winter,  he  vitited  Philadelphia,  "Wiiliamf- 
burgh,  and  feveral  other  places  in  Virginia  ami  I  lary- 
land  ;  and  returned  to  Philadelphia,  a  few  months  before 
the  firit  Congrefs  met  in  that  city,  on  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember. Encouraging  and  obferving  what  was  gomg 
forward  here,  he  then  paid  a  viiit  to  New-York,  Rhode- 
Ifiand,  and  Bofton,  where  he  arrived  on  the  ift  of  Auguft 
1774.  The  mod  a£tive  political  characters  on  the  Ame- 
rican theatre,  now  hailed  him,  and  were  happy  in  his 
acquaintance,  not  a  little  pleated  with  his  fanguine,  lively 
temper  ;  coniidenng  his  prcfence  among  them  at  this 
crifis,  as  a  moil;  fortunate  and  propitious  omen.  General 
Gage  had  now  iflued  Ins  proclamation  •,  and  though  Lee 
was  on  half-pay  in  the  Britifh  ferviee,  it  did  not  prevent 
him  from  expreflmg  his  fentimgnts  in  terms  of  the  moffc 
pointed  feverity  againft  the  miniitry.  In  fhort,  he  blazed 
forth  a  Whig  of  the  firft  magnitude,  and  communicated 
a  portion  of  his  fpirit  to  all  with  whom  he  converted. — 
As  he  continued  travelling,  or  rather  flying  from  place  to 
place,  he  became  known  to  all  who  diitinguifhed  them* 
Selves  in  this  important  opposition  :  his  company  and 
correfpondence  were  courted,  and  many  occafional  poli- 
tical 


(     7     ) 

tical  pieces,  the  production  of  his  pen,   were  eagerly 
read,  and  much  admired  •,  ana  from  this  popularity,  there 
is  no  reafon  to  doubt  but  hi-  expected  he  Oiould  foon 
ne  the  firft  in  military  rank  on  this  Continent. 

General  Gates  was  fettled  on  a  plantation  in  Berkley 
county,  Virginia  ;  and  having  a  great  friendflup  For 
Lee,  perfuaded  him  to  purchafe  from  a  Mr.  Hite,  a  very 
fme  valuable  trail  of  land  in  his  neighbourhood,  of  about 
two  thoufand  feven  hundred  acres,  on  which  were  fe- 
veral  good  improvements. 

On  this  bufinefs,  he  left  h.is  friends,  in  the  Northern 
S  and  returned  to  Virginia,  where  he  remained  till 
the  montl  of  May  1  775,  wften  he  again  prefented  himfelf 
at  Philadelphia.     The   American  Coqgrefs  were  aflem- 
bled  ;  and  he  became  daily  a  greater  enthufiaft  in  the 
taufe  of  liberty.     The  battle   of  Lexington,  and  fome 
other  matters,  had  now  ripened  the  eon  tell  ;  and  Lee's 
active  and  interprifing  difpofition  was  ready  for  the  molt 
arduous  purpofes.     He  therefore  accepted  a  comm 
from  the  Congrefs,  which  was  offered  tc*him  by  fome  of 
its  principal  members  j  but  he  found  it  neceflary  previ- 
oufly  to  refign  that  which  he  held  in  the  Britiih  fervice. 
This  he  did  without  delay,  in  a  letter  tranfmitted  to  the 
R  ight  Honourable  Lord  Vifcount  Barrington,  his  Ma- 
jefty's  Secretary  at  war  ;  afluring  his  Lord  (hip,  that  al- 
though he  had  renounced  his  half-pay,  yet,  whenever  it 
I  pleafe  his  Majefty  to  call  him  forth  to  any  honour- 
able fervice  againft  the  natural  hereditary  enemies  of  his 
country,  or  in  defence  of  Ins  mod  juft  rights  and  digni- 
ty, no  man  would  obey  the  righteous  fummons  with 
more  zeal  and  alacrity  than  himfelf :  at  the  fame  time, 
the  General  exprefled  his  difapprobation  of  the  preTent 
meafures,  in  the  molt  direct  terms  •,  declaring  them  to 
be   "  fo  abfolutely  fubverfive  of  the  rights  and  liberties 
of  every  individual  fubjeft,  fo  deitructive  to  the  whole 
empire  at  large,  and  ultimately  fo  ruinous  to  his  Ma  jet- 
ty's own  perfon,  dignity,  and  family,   that  he   thought 
himfelf  obliged  in  confeience,  as  a  citizen,  Englishman, 
and  a  foldier  of  a  free  State,  to  exert  his  utmod  to  de- 
le feat  them."  Profefang 


(     8     ) 

ProfefTing  thefe  fentiments,  he  received  a  Continc 

commiflion  of  the  rank  of  Major  General.  Ashe  '.ad 
made  war  his  ftudy  from  his  youth,  feen  a  variety  of  ft  r- 
vice,anddiftinguifhedhimfelfforhisc 
one  might  have  imagined  he  would  have  immediately 
been  appointed  feeond  in  command  in  the  American  ar- 
my :  this  was  not  the  cafe  ;  in  all  countries,  kidi-'g  goea 
by  favour  •,  and  men  will  be  tenacious  of  any  rank  be- 
llowed upon  them.  General  Ward,  of  Maflachufetts 
Bay,  by  fome  means  or  other  had  received  a  commiflion 
of  prior  date  ;  and  on  this  account,  perhaps  to  the  inju- 
ry of  the  fervice,  he  took  rank  of  General  Lee,  who 
was  atprefent  content  to  act  under  him.  Whatever  his 
feelings  were  on  this  head,  he  took  care  to  difguife  them  j 
and  General  Ward,  on  the  evacuation  of  Bofton,  grew 
weary  of  military  honour  and  fervice,  retired  to  private 
life,  and  fenthis  refignatiofi  to  Congrefs. 

On  the  21ft  of  June,  General  Wafhington  and  Ge- 
neral Lee,  having  received  their  orders  from  Congrefs, 
left  Philadelphia,  in  order  to  join  the  troops  allembled 
near  Bofton.  They  were  accompanied  out  of  the  city, 
for  fome  miles,  by  a  troop  of  light  horfc,  and  hv  all  the 
officers  of  the  city  militia,  on  horfeback  ;  and  at  this  time 
General  Lee  was  accounted,  and  really  was  a  great  ac- 
cjuifition  to  the  American  caufe.  On  the  road  they  re- 
ceived the  news  of  the  affair  at  Bunker's-hill,  and,  arrived 
at  the  camp  at  Cambridge  the  2d  of  July  1775.  The 
people  of  Malfachufetts  received  them  with  every  telti- 
mony  of  efteem  j  and  the  Congrefs  of  that  Colony  not 
only  prefented  an  addrefs  to  his  Excellency  General 
Wafhington,  as  commander  in  chief,  but,  from  a  fenfe 
of  the  military  abilities  of  General  Lee,  prefented  one  ta 
him  alfo  couched  in  terms  of  the  higheft  refpect.  The 
General  remained  with  this  army  till  the  year  1776, 
when  General  Wafhington,  having  obtained  intelligence 
of  the  fitting  out  of  a  fleet  at  Bofton,  and  of  the  embark- 
ation of  troops  from  thence,  which,  from  the  feafon  of 
the  year,  and  other  circumftances,  he  judged  muft  be 
deftincd  for  a  Southern  expedition,  gave  orders  to  Ge- 
nera! 


(     9     ) 

feral  Lee,  to  repair,  with  fuch  volunteers  as  we  re  willing 
to  join  him,  and  could  be  expeditioufly  railed,  to  the  city 
of  New-York,  with  a  defign  to  prevent   the  Euglifl)  from 
taking  poffeflion  of  New-York  and  the  North-River,  as 
they  would  thereby  command  the  country,  and  the  com- 
munication with  Canada.     The  General,    on  his  arrival, 
began  with  putting  the  city  in  the  beftpofture  of  defence 
the  feafon  of  the  year  and  circumfUnces  would  admit  of; 
disarming  all  fuch  perfons  upon  Long-Ifland,  and  elfe- 
wherc,  whofe  conduct   and  declarations  had  rendered 
them  f'ufpecled  of  defigns  unfriendly   to  the  views  of 
Congrefs.     Colonel  Ward   was  ordered   to  fecure^  the 
whole  body  of  profeffed  Tories  in  Long-Ifland.     Thtt 
gave  an  univerfal  alarm,  that  even  the  Congrefs  cf  New- 
York  endeavoured  to  check  the  General  in  this  bufinefs, 
by  informing  him,  in  a  letter,  that   the  trial  and  punifh- 
ment  of  citizens  belonged  to  the   Provincial    Congrefs, 
and  not  to  any  military  character,  however  exalted'.     To 
this  the  General  anfwwed,  that  when  the  enemy  was  at 
the  doors,  forms  mull  be  difpenfed  with— that  his  duty 
to  them,  to  the  Continental  Congrefs,  and  to  his  own 
confeience,  had  dictated  the  necefhty  of  the  meafure — 
that  if  he  had  done  wrong,  he  would  fubmit  himfell  to 
the  fhame  of  being  reputed  rafh  and  precipitate,   and 
undergo  the  cenlure  of  the  public  ;  but  he  ibould  have 
the  confeioufnefs  of  his  own  breaft,  that  the  pure  motives 
of  Serving   the  community,  uncontaminated  by  pique  or 
refentment  to  individuals,  urged  him  to  the  flcp.     The 
General  alfo  remonftrated  againft  fupplying  the  men  of 
\v\r  and    Governor  Tryon  with  provifions,  as  the  beats 
coming  to  the  city  muft  open  the  means  of  their  receiving 
every  fort  of  intelligence.     "  I  mould,"  fays  the  General 
in  one  of  his  letters,  «  be  in  the  higheft  degree  culpable 
to  God,   my  confeience,  and  the  Continental  Congrefs, 
in  whofe  fervice  I  am  engaged,  mould  I  fuffer,  at  fo  dan- 
gerous a  crifis,  a  banditti  of  profeffed  foes  of  liberty  and 
their  country  to  remain  at   liberty  to  co-operate   with, 
and  ftrengthen  the  minifterial  troops  openly  in  arms,  or 
Covertly,  and  coDfequently  more  dangeroufly  furnifh  thenj 

with 


(     xo     ) 

with  intelligence."  He  alfo  drew  up  a  Teft,  which  he 
ordered  his  officers  to  oiler  to  thofe  who  were  reputed 
inimical  to  the  American  caufe  :  a  refufal  to  take  this, 
was  to  be  conftrued  as  no  more  or  lefs  than  an  avowal 
of  their  hcftile  intentions  :  upon  winch,  their  perfons 
were  to  be  fecured,  and  fent  to  Connecticut,  were  it  was 
judged  they  could  not  be  lb  dangerous.  Thus  the  Gene- 
ral excited  the  people  to  every  fpirited  meafure,  and  inti- 
midated by  every  means  the  friends  to  the  Engiifh  go- 
vernment. At  this  time,  Captain  Vandeput,  of  the  Afia, 
feized  a  Lieutenant  Tiley,  and  kept  him  on  board  his 
fhip  in  irons.  On  the  principles  of  retaliation,  Lee  took 
into  cuftody  Mr.  Stephens,  an  officer  of  Government,  and 
informed  the  Captain  what  he  had  done,  and  that  this 
gentleman  mould  not  be  releafed  until  Lieutenant  Tiley 
was  returned.  This  had  the  defired  effect.  His  determi- 
ned and  deciGve  difpofition  had  an  amazing  influence  both 
on  the  army  and  people  ;  and  the  Heps  he  propofed  for 
the  management  of  thofe  who  difapproved  of  the  Ame- 
rican refiiiance,  fcruck  a  terror  wherever  he  appeared. 
Congrefs  had  now  received  the  account  of  General 
Montgomery's  unfuccefsful  expedition  againft  Quebec. 
As  flattering  expectations  were  entertained  of  the  fuc- 
cefs  of  this  officer,  the  event  threw  a  gloom  on  American 
affairs.  To  remedy  this  difafter,  they  turned  their  eyes 
to  General  Lee,  and  Congrefs  refolved  that  he  mould 
forthwith  repair  to  Canada,  and  take  upon  him  the  com- 
mand of  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies  in  that  pro- 
vince. This,  though  he  was  juft  recovered  from  a  fit  of 
the  gout,  he  accepted  ;  but  while  preparations  were 
making  for  the  important  undertaking,  Congrefs  changed 
their  determination,  and  appointed  him  to  the  command 
of  the  Southern  department  ;  in  which  he  became  very 
confpicuous,  as  a  vigilant,  brave  and  active  officer.  His 
extenfive  correfpondence,  his  addrefs  under  every  diffi- 
culty, and  his  unwearied  attention  to  the  duties  of  his 
ftation,  all  evinced  his  great  military  capacity,  and  ex- 
treme ufefulncfs  to  the  caufe  he  had  efpoufed,  and  was 
warmly  engaged  in — Every  tcftimony  of  refpect  was  paid 

him 


(  II  ) 

him  by  the  people  of  the  Northern  Colonics, and  he  ex-i 
berienced  a  limilar  treatment  in  his  journey  to  the  South- 
ward. On  his  arrival  at  WUliamfburgh,  every  one  ex- 
prefied  their  high  fatisfaction  at  his  prefence  among 
them  ;  and  the  troops  of  that  city  embraced  the  opportu- 
nity of  prefenting  him  with  an  addrefs,  expreffive  of 
their  fanguine  hopes  and  firm  resolutions  of  uniting  with 
him  in  the  common  caufe.  This  example  was  followed 
at  Newbcm,  North-Carolina  ;  and  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  inhabitants  of  that  town,  to  wait  upon 
him  in  their  name,  and,  in  an  addrefs,  to  thank  him  for 
his  generous  and  manly  exertions  in  defence  of  Ameri- 
can rights  and  liberties  •,  and  to  offer  him  their  cordial 
congratulations  for  his  appearance  among  them,  at  a  time 
wlun  their  province  was  actually  invaded  by  a  powerful 
fleet  and  army  ;  and  to  exprefs  their  happinefs  to  find  the 
command  of  the  troops  deftined  for  their  protection, 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  gentleman  of  his  dlftinguime^ 
character. 

Great  too  was  the  joy  in  South-Carolina,  where  his 
prefence  was  fcafonable  and  abfolutely  riecefiary,  as  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  was  actually  preparing  for  an  invafionof 
that  province.  The  minds  of  all  ranks  of  people  were 
coniiderably  elevated  at  the  fight  of  him  •,  it  dillufed  an 
ardour  among  the  military,  attended  with  the  mod 
Salutary  confequences ;  and  his  diligence  and  activity 
at  Charlellon,  previous  to  the  attack  upon  Sullivan's 
Bland,  will  be  long  remembred.  From  a  perufal  of 
his  letters  and  directions  to  the  officers  commanding 
at  that  poft,  we  may  juftly  infer,  that  America  was 
under  no  fmall  obligations  to  him  for  the  fignal  fuccefs 
there  obtained. — And  here  it  may  be  mentioned,  as 
fomewhat  remarkable,  that  when  General  Lee  received 
Orders  at  Cambridge,  to  repair  to  New-York,  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  BritiJh,  he  met  General  Clinton  the 
I  day  he  arrived  there-, — when  he  came  to  Virginia, 
he  found  h'.m  in  Hampton  Road — and  juft  after  his  ar- 
rival in  North  Carolina,  General  Clinton  left  Cape  Fear 
i — Their  next  meeting  was  at  Fort  Sullivan  which  mult 

have 


(      12      ) 

have  made  Lee  appear  to  Clinton  as  his  evil  genius, 
haunting  him  for  more  than  eleven  hundred  miles, 
along  a  coafl  of  vaft  extent,  and  meeting  him  a  Philippi. 

The  affair  of  Sullivan's  ifland  was  a  mofl  extraordina- 
ry deliverance  j  for  if  the  Englifh  had  fucceeded,  it  is 
more  than  probable  the  Southern  Colonies  would  at 
that  time  have  been  compelled  to  have  fubmitted  to  the 
Engliih  government.  Dreadful  was  the  cannonade, 
but  without  'effect.  Porto  Bello,  Boccochico,  and  the 
other  caftle  at  Carthagena,  were  obliged  to  ftrike  to  Ver- 
non ;  Fort  Lewis  in  Saint  Domingo  yielded  to  the  me. 
til  of  Admiral  Knowles  •,  but  in  this  initance,  an  unfi- 
nifhed  battery,  conilruclcd  with  Palmeto  logs,  refilled, 
for  a  whole  dav,  the  twelve  and  eighteen-pounders  of  the 
Britifh  fleet,  to  the  aftonifhment  and  admiration  of  every 
fpecfator. 

The  fleet  and  army  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Sir 
Peter  Parker  being  rcpulfed.  General  Lee  than  flew  to 
the  afliftance  of  Georgia,  where  he  continued  for  ibmc 
weeks,  planning  fchemes  to  put  that  province  in  a  ftate  of 
defence,  and  to  make  an  excurfion  into  Eatt  Florida,  as 
their  Southern  frontiers  were  fuffcring  confiderably  by 
the   incurftons  of  Indians  and  others  from  that  quarter. 

About  rhis  time,  the  Congrefs  were  informed  by  Ge- 
neral Wafhington,  that  Clinton,  with  the  noops  under 
his  command,  had  returned  and  joined  General  Howe 
at  Staten-ifland.  In  confequence  of  this  intelligence, 
the  Congrefs  were  convinced  that  the  Engliih,  by  collec- 
ting their  whole  force  into  a  point,  were  determined  to 
make  a  molt  vigorous  exertion  at  New- York  •,  and  in 
order  to  cenfure  fuccefs  there,  were  difpofed  for  the  prer 
fent  to  overlook  every  other  object.  The  getting  podef- 
fionofthat  city,  and  the  junction  of  the  two  armies  uiv 
der  General  Iiowe  and  Burgoyne,  it  was  the  Congrefs's 
opinion,  were  the  grand  objects  they  had  in  view,  and 
for  the  attainment  of  which  they  would  give  up  ever* 
inferior  confideration.  Lee's  fuccefs  in  the  Southern 
department  had  increafed  the  good  opinion  they  had  con- 
ceived of  him  :  his  reputation  was  in  its  zenith  ;  and* 

they 


(     *3     ) 

They  now  applied  to  him  for  afliftanoe,  in  the  preiertt 
important  fixation  of  their  affairs.     An  exprefs  was  dif- 

patched  to  Georgia,  directing  him  to  repair  as  fooi 
poflible  to  Philadelphia,  there  to  receive  fuch  orders  as 
they  might  judge  expedient.  He  returned  wich  great 
expedition,  the  beginning  of  Odober,  and  waited  on 
Congrefs  immediately  on  his  arrival,  who,  after  consult- 
ing him,  refolved  that  he  (hould  without  delay  repair 
to  the  camp  at  Haerlem,  with  leave,  it"  he  fhould  judge 
proper,  to  viiit  the  pofts  in  New-Jerfey. 

He  arrived  at  General  "Wafhhgton's  army  juit  time 
enough  to  prevent  it  from  being  blockaded  in  Ycrk- 
ifland,  the  eircumftance  of  which  had  been  thus  related. 
General  Wafhington  wag  at  that  time  under  a  neceffity 
of  confulting  his  council  of  before  he  could  take 

any  ftep  of  confequence  ;  and  they,  contrary  to  his  opi- 
nio;:, Were  for  waiting  an  attack  intheir  own  lines  on 
York-ifland — Extenfive  barracks  had  been  erected,  and 
large  preparations   made  for  inch  a  ftep.      Sir   Williarrt 

;-,   finding  the  Americans  too  fir-  tig  to  be 
with  fafety  from  the  fide  of  X  .  leaving    Lord 

Piercy  with  a  body  of  troops  oppofitc  the  river,  embark- 
ed the  reft  in  his  flat  boats,  palled  fafely  the  dangerous 
paflage  of  Hell-Gate,  and  landed  on  Frog';  Neck,  an 
•rated  by  a  fundi  creek  from  Weft  Chefter. 
Here  he  remained  a  week,  under  a  pretence  01  waiting 
for  (tores  and  provifion's  •,  while  the  Americans,  ill 
confequence  of  their  refolutions,  continued  on  the  If- 
pand.  The  very  evening  before  General  Howe  made 
r.  movement,  General  Lee  aprivecl  at  General  Wafhing- 
ton's  camp  ;   bit  opinion  of  their  damg<  ation  con- 

vinced the  council  of  war  \   and,  that  night,  a  p 
movement  extricated  them  fr  >m  the  danger.     The  next 
morning,  General  Howe -landed  on  Pelf.  Manor,  a 
Separated  from  Frog's  Neck  bv  a  channel  of  fcarce 
yards  :  he    then  extended  his   army  acrofs  to   Hudibn's- 
river  ;  but  there  was  then  no  enemy  to  intercept. 
lie,  inffcead  of  trifling  away    his  timej  crammed  up  on 
Frog's  Neck,  landed  only  on  Pell's  Poifcr,  ret  a    foul  of 
C  the 


(      M     ) 

the  American  army  would  havecfcaped.     Hitherto  Ge- 
neral Lee  had  been  luccefsful,and  was  univcrfally  efteem- 
ed  ;  but  fortune  now  began  to  revcrfe  the  (bene.     On 
the  13th  of  December  1776,  at  the  head  of  all  the  men 
he   could  collect,     lie   was   marching    to   join    General 
W"aihir.gton,\vho  had  aflernbled  the  Pennfylvania  militia, 
to  feture  the  banks  of  the  Delaware. — From  the  diftance 
of  the  Britifh  cantonment,  he  was  betrayed  into   a    fatal 
fecurity,  by  which,  in  crofTmg  the  upper  part  of  New- 
Jerfeyfrom  the  North  river,  he  fixed  his  quarters,  and 
lav  carelefsly  guarded  at  fome  diftance  from  the  main  bo- 
dy. This  circurnltance  being  communicated  to   Colonel 
Harcourt,who  commanded  the  Rritiih  light  horfe,and  had 
then  made  a  defultory  cxcnrlion  at  the  head   of  a  frnall 
detachment,  he  conducted  his  meaiures  with  fuch  addrefs 
and   activity,   that  Lee  was   carried  off,  though   feveraj 
guarded  polls  and  armed  patroles  lay  in  the  way.     Great 
was  the  joy  of  the   Britiih,  and  equal   the  conftcrnation 
of  the  Amine  ins,  at  this  unexpected  event.     The  mak- 
ing of  a  fugle  officer  priibner,  in  other  circumftances, 
would  have  been  a  matter  of  little  moment  •,  but  in  the 
prefent  ftate  of  the  continental  forces,  where  a  general 
deficiency  of  the  military  jkill  prevailed,  and  the   inex- 
perience of  the  officers  was  even  a  greater  grievance,  the 
lofs  of  a  commander  whole  fpirit  of  enterprise  was  di- 
rected by  great  knowledge  in  his  profeiuon,  acquired  by 
actual  fervice,  was  indeed  of  the  utmoft   importance. 
The  Congrefs,  on  hearing  this  news,  ordered  their  Pre- 
sident to  write  to  General  Washington,  definng  him  to 
tend  a  Bag  to  General  Howe/or  the  purpofe  of  enquiring 
in    what   manner    General  Lee  was   treated  •,    and    it 
he  found   that    it  was   not  agreeable  to  his  rank   and 
character,  to  fend  a  remonftrance  to  General  Howe  on 
fi  .bjec*.  -    This  produced  much  inconvenience  to  both 
fid.es,  ;md  much 'calamity  to  individuals.      A  Cartel  had 
fometime   before  been  ellabliihed    for  the  exchange  ot 
prifoners  between  the  Generals  Howe  and  Wafhrngton, 
winch  had  hitherto  been  carried  into  execution  as  tar  as 
ml    circumftances   would  admit.     As  Lee    was 

particularly 


(  i$  ) 

particular  obnoxious  to   Government,  it  was  faid  that 

General  Howe  was  tied  doMfn  by  his  inflrudion?,  from 
parting  with  him  upon  any  terms,  if  the  fortune  of  war 
fhould  throw  him  into  his  power.  General  Wafhin 
-not  having  at  this  time  any  prifohers  of  equal  rank  with 
Lee,  propofed  to  exchange  fix  field  officers  fur  him,  the 
number  being  intended  to  balance  that  defparity  ;  or  ii  this 
was  not  acepted,  he  required  that  he  mould  be  treated 
fuitably  to  his  flatten,  according  to  the  practice  eftablifhed 
among  peliihed  nations,  till  an  opportunity  offered 
direct:  and  equal  exchange.  To  thib  it  was  anfwered, 
that  as  Mr.  Lee  was  a  uelerter  from  his  Majefty'a  fer- 
vice,  he  was  not  to  be  eonfidered  as  a  prifoner  ot  war  -y 
that  he  did  not  at  all  come  within  the  conditions  of  the 
cartel,  nor  cculd  he  receive  any  of  its  benefits. 
brought  on  a  fruitlefs  difcuiion,  whether  General  Left 
who  had  resigned  his  half-pay  at  the  beginning  of  the 
troubles,  could  be  eonfidered  as  a  deferter  5  or  whether 
he  could  with  jufiice  be  excluded  from  the  genera! '. 
fits  of  a  cartel,  in  which  no  particular  exception  ofper- 
fon  had  been  made.  In  die  mean  time,  General  Lee 
was  guarded  with  all  the  flricdnefs  which  a  State  crimi- 
nal of  the  full  magnitude  could  have  experienced  in  the 
mod  dangerous  political  conjuncture.  This  condm 
only  fufpended  the  operation  of  the  cartel,  but  induce. I 
retaliation  on  the  American  fide  •,  and  Colonel  Campbell, 
who  had  hitherto  been  treated  with  great  humanity  by 
the  people  of  Bolton,  was  now  thrown  intc  i  du 

Thofe  Britifh  officers  who  were  prifoners  in  the  South- 
ern Colonies,  though  not  treated  with  equal  rigour,  were, 
however,  abridged  of  their  parole  liberty.  It  was  at  the 
fame  time  declared,  that  their  future  treatment  fhould  in 
every  degree  be  regulated  by  that  which  General  Lee  ex- 
perienced, and  that  their  perfons  fhould  be  anfwerable, 
in  the  utmofl  extent  for  any  violence  that  was  offered 
to  him.  Thus  matters  continued  till  the  capture  of  the 
Britifh  army  under  General  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga,  Oc- 
tober 17th,  1777.  A  change  of  con  duel:  towards  him 
then  took  place  j  he  was  allowed  his  parole  in  New- 
York, 


(    i<s   ) 

in  the  fame  houfc  with  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel Butler  of  the  30th,  dined  with  General  Robertfon 
commandenj  of  the  town,  and  with  many  principal  of- 
ficers and  families,  arid  a  ihort  time  after  was  exchanged. 

The  nrft  military  fcene  in  which  General  Lee  ap- 
•1  after  his  liberation,  was  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
.vhieh  determined  his  career  in  the  American  army.  Be- 
fore this  affair,  his  character  in  general  was  very  refpec- 
table  ;  many  of  the  warm  friends  of  America,  highly  va- 
lued the  important  fervices  he  had  rendered  to  the  United 
States. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  contefl,  he  had  excited 
and  directed  the  military  fpirit  which  prevaded  the  con- 
tinent; his  converfatiou  raifed  an  emulation  among  the 
officers,  and  he  taught  them  to  pay  a  proper  attention 
to  the  health,  cloathing,  and  comfortable  fubfiftence  of 
their  men  :  add  to  this,  his  zeal  was  unwearied  in  incul- 
cating the  principles  of  liberty  among  all  ranks  of  peo- 
ple ;  hence  it  is  faid,  that  a  ftrong  party  was  formed  in 
Coiigrefs,  and  by  fome  difcontenfred  officers  in  the  army, 
tc  raife  Lee  to  the  firft  command  and  it  hath  been  fug- 
gefted  by  many,  that  General  Lee's  conduct  at  the  bat- 
tie  of  Monmouth,  was  intended  to  effect  this  plan  ;  for, 
could  the  odium  of  the  defeat  have  been  at  that  time 
thrown  on  General  Wafhington,  and  his  attack  of  the 
Bruifh  army  made  to  appear  rafh  and  imprudent,  there 
is  great  reafon  to  fuppofe  he  would  have  been  deprived 
of  his  command.  It  hath  been  obferved  by  fome  wri- 
ters on  this  fubject,  that  when  General  Lee  was  taken 
prifoner,  the  American  army  was  on  no  par  with  the 
Royal  forces  ;  but  the  cafe  was  much  changed  on  his 
return  from  his  captivity.  He  found  them  improved, 
and  daring  enough  to  attack  even  the  Britifh  grenadiers 
with  (■irmnefs  and  refolution.  Had  not  this  been  the 
cafe,  and  General  Lee  when  ordered  to  attack  the  rear 
of  the  Royal  army,  feen  his  men  beat  back  with  difgrace, 
unwilling  to  rally,  and  acting  with  fear  and  trepidation, 
his  retreat  would  have  been  neceffary,  his  conduct  crown- 
ed with  applaufe,  and  his  purpofes  effected  ;  but,  difap- 

pointed 


(    n    ) 

pointed  in  this  view,  the  retreat  hath  been  imputed  to 
himfelf,  as  he  could  not  aledge  the  want  of  fpirit  in  his 
troops  for  the  jufiification  of  his  conduct. 

The  Britifh  army,  early  on  Thurfday  the  25th  of 
June,  compleated  their  evacuation  of  Philadelphia,  ha- 
ving before  tranfpovtcd  their  ftores  and  moft  of  their  ar- 
tillery into  the  Jerfies,  where  they  had  thrown  up  fomc 
works,  and  feveral  regiments  were  encamped  ; — they 
manned  the  lines  the  preceding  night,  and  retreated  over 
the  commons,  croffing  at  Gloucester  Point.  A  party 
of  the  American  horfe  purfued  them  very  clofe  ;  how- 
ever nothing  very  material  happened  till  the  2S;h,  when, 
about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Britifh  army 
moved  on  their  way  to  Middletown  Point.  About  eleven 
o'clock,  the  American  van,  commanded  by  General  Lee, 
overtook  them  •,  but  he  foon  retreated  and  was  met  by 
General  YVafhington,  who  formed  on  the  fitft  proper 
piece  of  ground  near  Monmouth  Court-Houic.  Y> 
this  was  dwing,  two  pieces  of  cannon,  fupportcd  by  Co- 
lonel Litingfton  and  Colonel  Stewart,  with  a  picked 
corps  of  300  men,  kept  off  the  main  body  of  the  En - 
gliih,  and  made  a  great  daughter.  Very  fevere  Ikirmifh- 
ing  enfued ;  and  the  American  army  advancing,  the 
Britifh  made  their  laft  efforts  upon  a  fmall  body  of  Penn- 
fylvania  troops  at  and  about  Mr.  'Pennant's  houfg  ;  they 
'tr.en  gave  way,  leaving  the  held  covered  with  dead  .>r>d 
wounded.  General  Wafhington'«  troops  purfued  for 
about  a  mile,  when,  night  coming  on,  and  the  men  ex- 
ceedingly fatigued  with  marching,  and  the  hot  weather, 
they  halted  about  half  a  mile  beyond  the  ground  of  the 
principal  action. — The  Britifh  took  a  ftrong  poft  in  their 
iron*,  fecured  on  both  flanks  bv  morafles  and  thick  woods, 
where  they  remained  until  about  twelve  at  night,  and  then 
retreated.  In  confequencc  of  this  action,  General  Lee 
was  put  under  arreft,  and  tried  by  a  Court  Martial  at 
Brunfwick,  the  4th  July  following.  The  charges  exhibit- 
ed  againft  him  were. 

1  ft.  For  difobedience  of  orders  in  not  attacking  the 
enemy  on  the  2Sth  of  June,  agreeable  to  repeated  in- 
ftrudtions.  C  2  2diy, 


(      i8     ) 

Itlly.  For  mhhchaviour  before  the  enemy  on  the  fame 
day,  by  making  an  unneceflary,  disorderly,  and  ihame- 
ful  retreat. 

3illy.  For  difrefnecr.  to  the  commander  in  chief  in 
two  letters,  dated  the  ill  July,  and  the  28th  June. 

The  letters,  on  which  the  third  charge  is  founded,  are- 
as follows  : 

Campy  Englijk  Toiu/i,  July  )Jl,   177!:!. 
Sir, 

FROM  the  knowledge  I  have  of  your  Excellency's 
character,  1  muft  conclude,  that  nothing  but  the  lnifin- 
■forrhation  of  fome  very  fhipid,  or  mifreprefentatiou  of 
fome  very  wicked  perfort,  could  have  occafioned  vour 
making  ufe  of  fueh  very  lingular  expreflions  as  you  did, 
on  my  coming  up  to  the  ground  where  you  had  taken 
poll  :  they  implied,  that  I  was  guilty  cither  of  difobedi- 
ence  oi  orders,  want  of  conduct,  or  want  <>i  courage. 
Your  Excellency  will  therefore  infinitely  oblige  me,  by 
letting  me  know,  on  which  of  thefe  tlnce  articles  you 
ground  your  charge,  that  I  may  prepare  for  my  juilifica- 
Hpn  •,  which  I  have  the  happinefs  to  be  confident  I  cm 
do,  to  the  Army,  to  the  Congrefs,  to  America,  and  to 
the  World  in  general.  Your  Excellency  rnuft  give  me 
leave  to  obferve,  that  neither  yourielf,  nor  thofe  about 
vour  pcrfon,  could,  from  your  fituation,  be  in  the  leaft 
judges  of  the  merits  or  demerits  of  our  manoeuvres  •,  and 
to  fpeak  with  a  becoming  pride,  I  can  aflert,  that  to  thefe 
manoeuvres  the  fuccefs  of  the  day  was  entirely  awing-* 
I  can  boldly  fay,  that  had  we  remained  on  the  firft  ground, 
or  had  we  advanced,  or  had  the  retreat  been  conducted 
in  a  manner  different  from  what  it  was,  this  whole  ar- 
my, and  the  interefls  of  America,  would  have  riiked  be- 
ing facrificed.  I  ever  had,  and  I  hope  ever  fhall  have, 
the  greateft  refpeel:  and  veneration  for  General  Wafh- 
ington  ;  I  think  him  endued  with  many  great  and  good 
qualities  :  But  in  this  infbnce,  I  muft  pronounce,  that 
he  has  been  guilty  of  an  acl  of  cruel  injuftice,  towards  a 
man  who  had  certainly  fome  pretentions  to  the  regard 

o£ 


(     *9     ) 

of  every  fervant  of  his  country  ;  and  I  think,  fir,  I  have 
a  right  to  demand  fome  reparation  for  the  injury  com- 
mitted ,•  and  unlefs  I  can  obtain  it,  I  mud,  in  juftice  to 
mvfelf,  when  the  campaign  is  doled,  which  I  believe 
will  clofe  the  war,  retire  from  a  fcrvice,  at  the  head  of 
Which  is  placed  a  man  capable  of  offering  fuch  injuries  : 
— but  at  the  fame  time,  in  juftice  to  you,  I  mult  repeat, 
that  I,  from  my  foul,  believe,  that  it  was  not  a  motion 
of  your  own  bread,  but  mitigated  b\  fome  of  thole  dirty 
iarivigs,  who  will  for  ever  infmuate  themlclvcs  near 
perfons  in  high  office  ;  for  I  am  really  convinced,  that 
when  General  Wafliingtpn  a&s  from  himfelf,  no  man 
in  his  army  will  have  reafon  to  complain  ol  injullice 
and  indecorum. 

1  am,  Sir,  and  I  hope  ever  (hall  have  region  to  continue^ 
Your  moil  (incei  ted 

Humble  Servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
11.;-  Excellency  Gen.  Wafliincton. 


Head   J^J/ttrh'rs,  EnglSJh    TotX  :, 
jutie  2i)//',  i  -  -    . 
Sir, 

I  RECEIVED  your  letter,  dated,  through  miftake, 
the  lit  of  Julv,  ex  pre  fled,  as  I  conceive,  in  terms  high- 
ly improper.  I  am  not  confeious  of  having  made  ule 
of  any  very  lingular  exprelhons  at  the  time  of  my  meet- 
ing you,  as  you  intimate.  What  I  recollect  to  have  laid, 
was  dictated  by  duty,  and  warranted  bv  the  occafion. 
As  foon  as  circumltances  will  admit,  you  (hall  have  au 
opportunity  either  of  juftifying  yourfelf  to  the  Army,  to 
Congrefs,  to  America,  and  to  the  "World  in  general,  or 
of  convincing  them  that  you  are  guilty  of  a  breach  of 
orders,  and  of  miibeliaviour  before  the  enemy  on  the 

28th 


(     -o     ) 

28th  inftant,  in  not  attacking  them  as  you  had  been  di- 
rected, and  in  making  an  unneceilary,  diibrderly  and 
fhameful  retreat. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  moft  obedient  Servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Camp,  Jyti(  Z§th,  1778. 
Sir, 

I  BEG  your  Excellency's  pardon  for  the  inaccuracy 
in  mifdating  my  letter. — You  cannot  afford  me  greater 
pleafurc  than  in  giving  me  the  opportunity  of  fnevving 
to  America,-  the  fumciency  of  her  refpettive  fervants.  I 
trull  thr.t  the  temporary  power  of  "office,  and  the  tinfel 
dignity  attending  it,  will  not  be  able,  by  all  the  milts 
they  can  raife,  to  olhfcate  the  bright  rays  of  truth.  In 
the  mean  time,  your  Excellency  can  have  no  objections 
to  my  retiring  from  the  army. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  moft  obedient, 

Humble  Servant, 


CHARLES  LEE. 


Gen.  Wafhington. 


Camp,  June  30th,  1778. 
Sir, 
SINCE  I  had  the  honour  of  addrefling  my  letter  by 
Colonel  Fitzgerald  to  your  Excellency,  I  have  reflected 
on  both  your  fituation  and  mine  ;  and  beg  leave  to  ob- 
ferve,  that  it  will  be  for  our  mutual  convenience,  that  a 
Court  of  Inquiry  mould  be  immediately  ordered  ;  but  I 
could  wifh  it  might  be  a  Court  Martial :  for,  if  the  affun 


(       21       ) 

is  drawn  into  length,  it  may  be  difficult  io  colled  the  ne- 
ceffary  evidences,  and  perhaps  might  bring  on  a  paper- 
War  betwixt  the  adherents  to  both  parties,  which  may 
pecafion  fome  difagreeable  feuds  on  the  Continent ;  for 
all  are  not  my  friends,  nor  your  admirers. 

I  mml  entreat,  therefore,   from  your  love  of  juftice, 
that  you  will  immediately  exhibit  your  charge  j  and  that 
on  the  firil  halt,  I  may  be  brought  to  a  trial. 
I  am,  Sir, 

Your  mofl  obedient, 
Humble  Servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
His  Excellency  Gen.  Walhington. 


THE  Court  met,  by  fcveral  adjournments,  till  the 
1 2th  of  Augufl,  when  they  found  the  unfortunate  Ge- 
neral guilty  of  the  feveral  charges  brought  againft  him, 
and  fenteneed  him  to  be  fufpended  from  any  commifiion 
in  the  armies  of  the  United  States  of  North  America 
for  the  term  of  twelve  months.  But  it  was  ufual  in  Ame- 
rica, and  thought  necedary,  that  the  fentence  of  every 
Court  Martial  fhould  be  ratiiied  or  confirmed  by  Con- 
grefs  ;  the  proceedings,  therefore,  of  the  Ccurt,  were 
accordingly  tranfmitted  to  them,  and  the  General  re- 
paired to  Philadelphia  to  await  their  dcciGon.  During 
his  (lay  there  on  this  bufmefs,  he  was  involved  in  feveral 
diiputes  •,  and  though  his  aflair  might  be  confidered  as 
yet  fub  judice,  yet  the  converfation  of  the  city  was  ra- 
ther againft  him,  which  induced  him  to  publifh,  as  it 
were,  a  fecond  defence  •,  and  as  this  may  not  be  fo  wcl1 
known  to  the  public  as  the  elegant  and  mailerly  defence 
in  his  trial,  which  hath  been  republished  in  Europe,  I 
(lull  infert  it  in  this  place. 


General 


(     21    ) 

GENERAL   Lf.e's    Vindication  to  the   Public. 

The  different  commentators  on  the  orders  I  received 
from  General  "W.iflnn^ton,  on  the  28th  of  June,  havej 
I  think,  conftritcd  them  into  no  more  than  three  differ- 
ent fenfes.  I  Avail,  therefore,  for  argument's  fake,  give 
the.  world  leave  to  Ijmpofe  them  to  have  been  any  one 
of  thefe  three  :* — ill.  To  attack  the  enemy  in  whatever 
fituation,  and  in  whatever  force  I  found  them,  without 
confidering  confequenecs. 

2.  To  contrive  the  means  of  bringing  on  a  general 
engagement. 

3.  To  annoy  them  as  much  as  poflible,  without  dik- 
ing any  thing  of  great  importance  ;  that  is,  in  fact,  to 
act  with  a  great  degree  of  latitude,  according  to  my 
own  difcretion. 

Now,  I  fay,  granting  any  one  of  thefe  three  to  have 
been  the  orders  I  received,  it  is  manifeft,  that-  I  did  li- 
terally and  effectually  comply,  as  far  as  depended  on 
myfelf,  and  on  human  means.  As  to  the  iirft,  not- 
withftanding  the  attempt,  by  a  low  evaiion,  to  prove 
that  the  orders  I  gave  were  only  to  advance  on  the  ene- 
my, it  is  clear  from  Captain  Mercer's  evidence,  that 
General  "Wayne  and  Colonel  Butler  were  ordered,  not 
only  to  advance,  but  in  precife  terms  to  attaek  ; — it  is 
clear,  that  I  did,  with  the  three  brigadiers  on  the  right, 
make  the  only  movement  poflible  to  accomplifh  this  end  j 
it  is  clear  that  I  did  not  with,  or  give  any  orders  for 
a  retrograde  manoeuvre  from  the  frrft  point  of  action, 
and  that,  even  when  I  was  informed  of  our  left  being 
abandoned,  the  retreat,  however  neceffary,  was,  I  am 
afhamed  to  own  it,  done  contrary  to  my  orders,  and 
contrary  to  mv  intentions.  I  fay  I  am  afhamed  to  own 
it ;  for  if  the  'Britifh  cavalry  had  vigoroufly  pufhed  on 

our 

*  It  mnft  appear  fomewhat  extraordinary,  that  when  the  principal 
and  heavieft  charge  brought  againft  me,  was  the  difobedience  of  or- 
ders, thefe  orders,  that  it  feems  I  difobeyed,  fhould  never  have  been 
attempted  to  be  afcertained  to  the  Court  by  the  proper  authority,  but 
were  left  to  the  conjecture  and  wild  conftruclions  of  thofe  who  might 
take  the  trouble  to  guefs,  aud  to  the  haidinefs  of  thofe  who  might 
chule  to  invent. 


(     23     ) 

eur  right,  they  might  have  turned  our  flank,  taken  us  in 
reverfe,  and  we  had  been  loll.     There  is  one  fuppofiti- 

on,  and  indeed  only  one  (and  that,  for  the  General's  ho- 
nour, is  too  monllrous  to  be  admitted)  that  would  ren- 
der me  criminal  j  it  is,  that  he  had  pofitively  command- 
ed me,  that  after  the  attack  commenced,  whatex  -  were 
1  rny  circumftances,  or  whatever  were  my  numbers,  from 
thence  I  fliould  not,  from  any  confideration,  recede  an 
inch.  Now,  if  fueh  I  had  conceived  to  have  been  his 
intention,  fo  great  is  my  opinion  of  the  valour,  zeal,  and 
obedience  of  the  troops,  and  lo  well  I  think  1  know  my- 
ftlf,  that  I  do  really  believe  we  (hould  all  have  pcrifhed 
cm  the  lirfl  fpot ;  but  I  never  had,  and  it  is  almoft  im- 
poihble  T  ihould  have  an  idea  that  fueh  was  hi.;  plan  ; 
and  it  is  evident  that  it  was  not ;  confequently,  in  feeking 
a  better  polition  in  our  rear,  I  could  be  guilty  of  no  dis- 
obedience. Upon  the  whole",  admitting  the  orders  I  re- 
ceded to  have  been  (as  it  has  been*  in  Miniated)  to  attack, 
v.  ithout  any  confideration  oi  the  force  or  fituation  of  the 
enemy,  they  were  as  fully  and  rigidly  obeyed,  circumllan- 
ced  as  I  was,  as  it  was  poihbic  for  any  human  officer  to 
obey  orders  of  fueh  a  nature.  Jn  the  next  place,  if  the 
General's  inliruclions  are  conltrued  to  be,  that  I  fhould 
lind  the  means  of  bringing  on  a  general  engagement,  it: 
is  difficult  to  imagine  a  more  efficacious  method  than 
that  which  was  purfucd.  But  I  mull  here  beg  leave 
to  obferve,  that  thole  gentlemen  who  talk  fo  familiarly 
of  bringing  on  a  general  engagement,  muft  underfcand 
themfelves  as  little  as  they  can  be  underftood  by  others  : 
- — to  bring  on  a  general  engagement,  is  not  always  in 
our  power.  An  enemy  of  any  capacity  will  take  fueh 
meafures  as  not  to  be  under  the  neceflity  of  fighting 
againft  his  inclinations  ;  and,  however  it  may  be  re- 
ceived, 1  cannot  help  being  pcrluaded,  that  fome  of 
the  Britiih  generals  are  not  deficient  in  this  great  ef- 
fential.  Clinton,  Grey,  and  Krikine,  were  bred  up,  and 
conMdered  no  defpicable  officers  in  one  of  the  belt  ichools 
in  Europe  Prince  Ferdinand  and  his  nephew,  the  he- 
viditary  pjrince,   think,  it  is  fa'al,  and  do  moll  certainly 

i'p  lak 


(      24     ) 

fpeak  very  honourably  of  them.  Now,  although  it  muic 
be  fuppofed  that  men  of  this  (lamp  will  make  it  a  rule 
to  retain  the  power  of  refuting  a  general  engagement, 
there  are  ftrong  grounds  for  believing,  that  on  this  day 
(whether  from  our  manoeuvres,  or  from  the  often  un- 
goverr  _  !c  impetuofity  of  the  Britifh  troops)  they  would 
have  been  put  under  the  neceflity  of  committing  the  moil 
confiderable  part  of  their  army  to  the  decifion  of  arms, 
if  the  opportunity  on  our  fide  had  been  availed  of.  They 
were  tempted  to  pafs  three  of  the  great  ravines  which 
traverfe  the  plain  ;  and  there  is  room  to  flatter  ourfelves 
they  would  have  paffed  the  laft,  if  they  had  been  wifely 
fullered.  They  would  then  have  been  actually  in  our 
power ;  that  is,  they  would  have  been  under  the  necef- 
fity  of  fighting  againft  unequal  force  ;  for  they  had  fcarce- 
ly  the  poflibility  of  retreating,  and  it  was  at  our  option 
to  engage  whatever  part  of  the  army  we  thought  proper, 
whether  the  whole,  one  half,  or  only  a  third,  as  they 
had  immediately  emerged  from  the  ravine,  and  before 
they  could  have  had  time  to  develop  and  form  ;  our 
rear  was,  on  the  contrary,  quite  clear  and  unembarraiTed, 
and  were,  in  fact,  entire  mailers  of  our  manoeuvres  ;  at 
the  fame  time,  Colonel  Morgan,  and  the  militia  on  the 
flanks,  by  this  feparation  of  the  major  part  of  the  ene- 
my's army  to  fo  great  a  diftanoe  from  their  baggage,  and 
the  body  covering  the  baggage,  would  have  had  a  much 
fairer' opportunity  of  making  their  refpective  attacks, 
than  if  they  had  remained  more  compact  :  thus,  if  any 
thing  is  meant  by  finding  the  means  of  bringing  on  a 
general  engagement,  it  was  done,  and  in  the  moll  falu- 
tary  manner,  to  the  utmofl  extent  of  human  poflibility. 

We  come  now  to  the  laft  fuppofition,  viz.  That  the 
orders  I  received  (which  in  fact  is  the  truth,  unlefs 
they  had  no  meaning  at  all)  were  to  annoy  the  enemy, 
ftrike  a  partial  blow,  but  without  diking  any  thing  of 
great  importance  ;  or  in  other  terms,  to  act  in  a  great 
meaftire  diicretionally.*     And  here.  I  defy  the  moft  acute 

military. 

*  It  muft  be  remarked,  tnatdifobedienre  to  difereticnary  orders  is', 
prima  facie,  a  glaring  abfurdity  ;  it  is  an  impofiibility  ;  ar.i  yet  it  hai 
beer,  endeavoured  toprov^  me  guilty  of  tJiii  impofiibility. 


(      25      ) 

military  critic  of  the  world,  to  point  oui.  a  mo:-;  effectual 
method  than  what  was  puriucd  ;  for,  had  we  taken  poft 
on  the  hither  or  weilern  margin  of  .•  e  firft  ravine,  ;ts 
General  Wayne  feems  to  think  we  ought  to  have  done, 
(and  admitting  that  in  this  pofition  our  flanks  could  have 
been  feeure,  which  they  certainty  were  not)  or  on  the. 
margin  of  any  of  the  other  ravines  In  our  rear,  the  laft 
not  excepted,  if  the  lall  had  been  tenable,  how  could  we 
poilibly  have  annoyed  the  enemy,  or  llruct  a  partial 
blow  ?  The  confequence  would  at  molt  have  been  this, 
that  we  might  have  remained  gazing  on  and  cannonad- 
ing each  other  for  Ibme  time,  and  the  moment  they 
chofe  to  retire,  they  could  have  dene  it  at  their  leifure, 
and  with  impunity  •,  for,  by  all  the  rules  of  war,  and 
what  is  mere,  by  all  the  rules  of  common  fenfe,  we 
could  not  have  ventured  to  purfuc  them,  becaufe  we 
ihould  have  put,  if  not  impracticable,  at  lead  very  dan- 
gerous, defiles  in  our  rear  ;  and  if  they  had  turned  back 
upon  us,  we  Ihould  have  been  effectually  in  their  power, 
unlcfs  we  could  have  Iniured  victory  to  ourielvcs  with 
very  unequal  numbers  ;  but  by  drawing  them  over  all 
the  ravines,  they  were  as  much  in  our  power  ;  hefules, 
it  mult  occur  to  every  man  who  is  not  dcititu'ic  of  com- 
mon reafon,  that  the  further  they  were  from  their  ihips 
and  the  heights  of  Middletown,  the  point  of  their  fecu- 
ritv,  the  more  they  were  ^to  nil  the  military  language, 
in  the  air. 

To  thefe  considerations  may  be  added,  that  the  ground 
we  found  them  on,  was  extremely  favourable  to  the  na- 
ture of  their  troops  ;  and  that  we  drew  them  into,  as  fa- 
vourable to  ours.  The  ground  we  found  them  on,  was 
calculated  for  cavalry,  in  which  they  comparatively 
abounded  ;  and  that  which  we  drew  them  into,  as  much 
the  reverie.  In  fine,  admitting  that  the  order  I  received 
was  any  one  of  the  three  referred  to,  and  fuppofing  wo 
had  been  as  perfectly  acquainted  with  every  yard  of  the 
country  as  we  were  utterly  ignorant  of  it,  I  am  happy  to 
be  able  confeioufly  to  pronounce,  that  were  the  tranfac- 
tions  of  that  dav  to  pafs  over  again,  there  is  no  one  (Up 
D  I  took 


(  .26     ) 

T  took  which  I  would  not  again  take.     There  is  no  one 
thing  I  did  which  does  not  demonitrate  that  I  conducted 
myfelf  as  an  obec'ent,  prudent  and,  let  me  add,  fpitited 
oflicer  ;*  and  I  do   from   my   foul   fmcevely  wilh  that  a 
court  of  inquiry,  compofed  of  the  ableffc  fotdiers  in  the 
world,   were  to  fit  in  judgment,  anil  enjoined  to  canvas 
with  die  utmoft  rigour  every  circumitance  of  my  conduct 
on  this  day,  and  on  their  decifion  my  reputation  or  infa- 
my to  be  for  ever  eftablifhed,  There  is,  however,  I  con- 
fefs,  the'ftro'ngeft  reafon  to  believe  (but  for  this  omillton 
I  am  no  ways  refponfible)  that,  had  a  proper  knowledge 
of  the  theatre  of  action  been  obtained,  as  it  might,  and 
ought  to  have  been,  its   nature  and  different  fituations, 
with  there  references   ltudied,  and,   in  confequence,  a 
general  plan  of  action  wifely  concerted  and  c'igcited,  a 
rnoft  important,  perhaps  a  deciiive  blow  might  have  been 
fbruck,  but  not  by  adopting  any  one  meafure  that  any 
one  of  my  cenfurers  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  think 
of.     I   have  already  faid,  that  had  we  remained  on  the 
ground  where  the  attack  commenced,  or  on  the  margin 
of  tire  firfJE  ravine,  which  General  Wayne  fecms  to  think 
was  a  good  pofition,  we  fhould  probably  have  been  loft  ; 
and  I  believe  I   may  fafely  affert  that  had  we  attached 
ourfelves  to  the  fecond  pofition,  in  front  of  Cavr'shoufe, 
reconnoitred  by  Monf.   l)u  Portail,  on  the   hill    which 
Colonel  Hamilton  was  fo  ftrongly  prepofieffed  in  favour 
of,  and  allowing  our  flanks  to  be  fecure  in  any  of  thefe 
poiitions,  which  it  is  evident  they  were  not,  fecurity  is 
the  only  thing  we  could  have  had  to  boaft  of.    The  fe- 
curity  of  the  enemy  would  have  been  equally  great ;  but 
any  polfibility  of  annoying   them  we  certainly  had  not. 
I  affert,  then,  that  if  we  had  acted  wifely,  it  was  our 
^bufinefs  to  let  one,  two,  or  three  thoufand  pais  the  laft 
ravine,  in  the  rear  of  which,  and  on  the  eminence  pointed 
out  to  me  by  Mr.  VVikoir,  and  to  General  Wafhington  by 

Colonel 

*  Tl.i-;  llvlc,  on  mrumary  occafions,  woulJ  appear  a  mod  intolerably 
and  difgulliiig  gaibonade  ;  '.nit  --hen  i  man's  conrtucl  has  been  fo  %rr[  - 
ly  mifreprefsnted   and  calumniated,  a-   mine  has  been,   ' 
owge  i':  juftifkble  in  hi-  defence. 


(       27       ) 

lei  Ray,*  the  main  body  of  our  army  was  pofted, 
frelh  and  unfatigued  •,  whereas  thole  of  the  enemy  were 
extremely  harrafled,  or,  indeed,  worn  down  to  fo  u<\\-  a 
degree  of  debility,  that  had  they  once  paned,  they  had 
little  chance  of  Tepaffing  ;  the  ground  was  comma;  ' 
and,  to  us,  in  all  refpects  advantageous.     A  fcrt  of  na- 
tural glacis,  extending  itfelf  in  our  front,  from  the  crefl 
-of:  the  eminence  quite  down  to'the  ravine,  over  which 
there  was  only  one  narrower;  p.'.fs,  the  plain  fo  nar 
as  to  give  no  play  to  the  manoeuvres  of  their  cavalry  •, 
.and  at  two  or  three  hundred  yards  diftaiue  in  the  rear, 
a  fpace  of  ground  moil  happily  adapted  to  the  arrange- 
ment of  a  fetond  line.^     This  ground,  from  the  nature 
of  its  front,  is  almoft  entirely  protected  from  the  annoy- 
ance of  the  enemy's  cannon  ;  and,  of  courfe,  well  calcu- 
lated for  the  refpiration  of  a  body  of  troops,  inch  as  my 
detachment  was,  fatigued,  but  not  difpirited  t 
and  the  excefilvc  heat  of  the  weather-,  here  they  D 
have  taken  breath  ;  here  they  might  have  been  refreflied, 
and,  in  a  very  fhort  time,  refitted  at  leaft  to  act  as  a  line 
of  fupport,   which  was  all  that  in  thefc  cfrcumftai 
could  be  necefiary.      I  propofed  to  the   General  to  form 
them  as  fuch,  but  was  precipitately  ordered,  and,  I 
fefs,  in  a  manner  that  extremely  raffled  me,  to  three  miles 
tliftancc  in  the  rear. 

Thus,  in  my  opinion,  was  a  mod  glorious  Op] 
loft  ;  for  what  followed  on  both  fuits  was  only  a  ciilant, 
unmeaning,  inefficacious  canonnade  ;  and  what  has  been 
fo  magnificently  (tiled  a  puriuit,  was  no  more  than  tak- 
ing up  the  ground  which  the  Britifh  troops  could  not 
pofliblv,  and  were  not  (their  principle  being  retreat 
terefted  to  maintain. 

P.  S. 

*  To  thefc  two  <renticmcn  not  a  little  credit  lor  the  fuccefs  of  the 
s8th  of  June  i.s  due. 

jecled,  that  a  part  of  my  detachment  there. 
Scott  and  Maxwell,  had  already  filed  off  in  the  rear,   but  I 
eafily  have  been  brought  up.     It  is  evident  they  m 

ards  a   part  of  them  'Acre  ordered,  and  did  march  up.     It 
i  rved,  that  I  norant  that  any  part  of  them 

led  off;  but  thofe  I  had  with  mc  would  have  formed  a  vei 
i.-  line  of  reforre. 


(  28  ) 

P.  S.  A  thoufand  wicked  and  low  artifices,  during 
my  tryal,  were  ufed  to  render  mc  unpopular.  One  of 
the  principal  was,  to  throw  out  that  I  had  endeavoured, 
on  every  occaflon,  to  depreciate  the  American  valour, 
and  »'*.e  character  of  their  troops.  There  never  was  a 
;nore  impudent  falfehood  ;  1  appeal  to  my  letters  nddrcf- 
fed  to  Kir.  Bttrgoyne — to  the  whole  tenor  of  my  con- 
verfation,  both  previous  and  /uWequent  to  the  com- 
mencement of  the  prefent  war,  and  to  all  my  publica- 
tions It  is  true,  I  have  often  heavily  lamented,  as  to 
me  it  appears,  the  defective  conftitution  of  the  army  ; 
but  I  have  ever  had  the  higheft  opinion  of  the  courage 
and  other  good  qualities  of  the  Americans  as  foldiers  ; 
and  the  pioofs  that  my  opinion  was  juft,  are  numerous 
and  fubftantial. 

To  begin  with  the  affair  of  Bunker's  hill,  I  may  ven- 
ture to  pronounce  that  there  never  was  a  more  danger- 
ous, a  more  execrable  fituation,  than  thefe  brave  and 
unfortunate  men  (if  thofe  who  die  in  the  glorious  caufe 
of  Liberty  can  be  termed  unfortunate)  were  placed  in  ; 
they  had  to  encounter  with  a  body  of  troops,  both  in 
point  of  fpirit  and  difeipline,  not  to  be  furpafled  in  the 
-whole  world,  headed  by  an  officer  of  experience,  intre- 
pidity, coolnefs,  and  decifion.  The  Americans  were 
compofed,  in  part,  of  raw  lads  and  old  men,  half  armed, 
with  no  practice  or  difeipline,  commanded  without  or- 
der, and  God  knows  by  whom.  Yet  what  was  the 
event  ?  It  is  known  to  the  world,  that  the  Britifh  troops, 
notwithstanding  their  addrefs  and  gallantry,  were  melt 
feverely  handled,  and  almoft  defeated.* 

The  troops  under  the  command  of  General  Montgo- 
mery, in  Ids  expedition  againft  St.  John's,  Chambly, 
and  into  Canada,  who  were  chiefly  compofed  of  native 
Americans,   as  they   were- from  the   Ealtern  States,  dif- 

played, 

*  Th?  Colonels  Stark,  Prcfcot,  Little,  Ouritier,  Perul,  Nixoti.  and 
tl.e  two  Brewers,  were  entitled  to  immerl  for  their  uci 

that  day;  but  according  to  the  ufual  juttice  of  the  writers  of  newfc 
papers  and  Gazettes,  their  tunic:  have  iuircely  been  mentioned  on  thia 
occafion. 


played,  bv  his  own  account,  in  a  letter  I  received  from 
that  illuftrious  young  man,  not  only  great  courage,  but 
Steal  and  enterprise. 

The  aflault  under  Arnold,  on  the  lower  town  of  Que- 
bec, was  an  attempt  that  would  have  ftartled  the  moil 
approved  veterans;  and,  it'  they  mhcarried,  it  cannot  be 
attributed  to  a  deficiency  of  valour,  but  to  want  ot  pro- 
per information  of  the  chrumilances  of  the  place. 

The  defence  of  Sullivan's-Iiland,  by  Colonel  Moultrie, 
might  be  termed  an  ordeal.  The  garrifon,  both  men 
and  officers,  entirely  raw  ;  the  fire  furious,  and  of  a  du- 
ration almoft  beyond  example  ;  their  fituation  extremely 
critical  and  dangerous,  for  the  rear  was  in  a  mil 
open  ;  and  if  General  Clinton  could,  as  it  was  expected, 
have  landed  on  the  Wand,  there  were  no  refourccs  but 
in  the  lail  defperate  retblutions. 

With  refpecf.  to  the  tranfaclions  on  York  and  Long- 
Itland,  I  mult  be  filent,  as  I  am  ignorant  of  them  ;   but, 
from  fome  obtcrvations   after  I  joined   the  army,  ' 
reafon  to  think  the  fault  c^uld  not  have  been  in  the  men, 
or  in  the  common  bulk  of  oilicers. 

Even  the  Unhappy  buimefs  of  Fort  Washington,  v,  i 
was  attended  with  fuch  abominable  eotffequences,  and 
which  brought  the  affairs  of '  Amevii  a  to  -  the  brink  .-fc 
ruin,  when  the  eircumftances  are  well  confiden  d,  did 
honour  to  the  officers  and  men,  devoted  to  the  defence! 
of  this  worthlefs  arid  ridiculous  ravoutltei 

The  defence  of  Red-Bank,  by  Colonel  Green,  and 
jMud-iiland,  by  Colonel  Smith,  forced  a  confeffion,  even 
from  the  moil  determined  infidels  on  this  point,  01  the 
Biitiih  officers,  to  the  honour  of  American  valour.  I 
have  often  heard  them  allow,  that  the  defence  of  thefc 
two  r '.aces  ivere  realty  handjlmr  thingr — that  r:o  men  could 
have  done  better ;  which,  from  unwilling  mouths,  is  no 
("mall  panegyric. 

The  viciory  gained  by  Stark,  at  Bennington,  and  the; 
capture  of  Mr.  Burgoyiie's  whole  army,  by  Gates  ami 
Arnold,  are,  above  all,  convincing   argument-  of  what 
D  -2,  excel 


(     3°     ) 

o-ci-ll  -nt  Ingredients,  in  ah  refpecls,  the  fotce  of  Ame- 
rica is  compofcd. 

The  detail  of  what  parted  lately  on  Rhode-Iflan, 
not  yet  qome  to  my  knowledge  ;  but,  from  all  I  h  :vc 
been  able  to  collect,  the  mc.i  and  oiiicers  exhibited  great 
valour  and  facility,  .u  diil  their  General,  difcretion,  calm- 
nels,  and  good  conduct.  Upon  the  whole,  I  am  war- 
ranted to  lay,  what  I  always  thought,  that  no  difgrace 
or  calamity  has  fallen  on  the 'arms  of  Aiii'iica  through 
the  whole  courfc  of  the  war,  but  what   mi  nibu- 

ted  to  fomc  other  eaufe  than  to  the  want  nt  j 
difpohtion  to  obedience,  or  to  any  of  her  mil  it  a: 
in  the  men,  or  the  general  maf>  ni  their  officers  in  their 
difivrcnt  ranks  ;   and  I  folemnly   declare,   thai   was  it  at 
j-ny  choice  to   felect  from  all  the  nations  of  fche  earth  to 
form  an  excellent  and    perfect  aimy,  I   would,  wi; 
lieiitation,  give  the  preference  to   the    Americans.      By 
publishing  this  opinion,  I  eannot  ineur  the  fufpieion  of 
paying  my  court  to  their  vanity,  as  it  isr  notorious 
language  I  have  ever  held. 

I  have  been  told,  that  one  of  the  crimes  imputed  to 
me,  is  by  entertaining  a  high  opinion  of  the  iivitiili 
troops.  If  this  is  a  crime,  I  am  ready  to  acknowledge  it. 
There  were  times,  I  confefs,  when  the  promulgation  of 
fuch  an  opinion  wpvdd  have  been  impolitic,  and  even 
criminal  j  but  in  thefe  times,  it  is  notorious  to  the  world 
that  my- conduct  was  the  reyerfe.  Everything  I  wrote, 
every  thing  I  faid,  tended  to  iufpire  that  confidence  in 
their  own  itrength,  which  it  was  thought  the  Americans 
wanted  \  and  it  is  believed,  that  what  I  faid,  and  what 
I  wrote  had  no  inconfiderable  effect ;  but  now,  circum- 
stanced as  we  arc,  I  cannot  conceive  the  danger,  or  even 
impropriety,  in  fpeaking  of  them  as  they  deferve,  parti- 
cularly as  their  excellence,  redounds  to  the  honour  of 
America.  I  could  not  help,  whilfl  I  was  prifoner,  be- 
ing aflonifhed  at  the  bad  policy  and  ftupidity  of  fome  of 
the  Britifh  ofh^P0|pvvho  made  it  their  confbant  bufinefs 
to  depreciate  tho«iaracter  of  the  Americans  in  point  of 
courage  and  fenfe.    I  have  often  cxpreffed  my  aftonifh- 

ment, 


(     3«     ) 

men:,  making  a  very  natural  obfervation  to  them,  tli.it 
if  the  pcrfuafion  of  their  opponent's  cowardice  and  folly 
■were  eflablifhed  in  the  world,  the  great  merits  they 
rhemfelves  pretended  to  muff.,  at  the  lame  time,  be  ut- 
terly deltroyed.     That   I  June  a   very  great   opinion   of 

Iripiri  troops,  I  make  no  fcrupic  to  oorifefs  •,  and 
uniefs  I  had  this  opinion  of  them,  I  do  not  foe  what 
ground  I  could  have  for  my  cuiogiums  orl  American  va- 
This  W  a-truth,  funple  and  clear  as  the  day  ;  but 
be  it  as  it  will,  it  is  now  moft  certain,  let  the  courage 
and  dill'tplinc  of  the  luitilh  troops  be  as  great  as  imagi- 
nation can  paint,  there  is  at  prefent  no  danger  from  ci- 
ther the  one  or  the  oilier.  '1  he  dangers  that  now  threat- 
en, are  from  other  quarters  ;  from  the  want  of  tempcT, 
moderation,  occonomy,  wiidom,  and  deeilion  an: 
ouri'elves  •,  from  a  childilh  credulity  ;  am!,  in  confe- 
iptence  of  it,  a  promptnefs  to  commit  acts  o(  the  higheft 

tice  0,1  tii<n'e  who  haws  defesvfcd  befl  at  the  hands 
:  1  the  community  ;  but  above  all,  from  the  direct  op- 
|  s    to  thofe  qualities,  virtues,   and    principles,  with- 

out wliifeh  it  is  impothblc  that  the  mode  of  government 
( tlabliilied  Ihould  be  fupported  for  the  tenth  part  of  a 
century.  Thcfe,  1  alVert,  are  now  the  proper  pbjecls  of 
our  apprehenJions,  and  not  any  real  or  fuppofed  excel- 
lence in  the  armies  of  Great  Britain,  who  has  infinitely 
more  reaton  to  fear  for  her  own  independence,  than  to 
hope  for  the  fubjugation  of  yours. 

General  Clinton's  letter,  which,  has  juft  ^appeared, 
has  fo  wonderful  an  accord  with  the  above  elTay,  that  I 
make  no  doubt  but  that  fome  acute  gentleman,  may  in* 
inmate  that  it  furnifhed  the  hint  :  but  I  can  appeal  to 
more  than  fifty  gentlemen  of  this  city,  or  officers  of  the 
army,  to  whom  it  was  read,  previous  to  the  publication 
of  General  Clinton's  letter,  whether  a  fingle  fvllable  has 
been  added  or  varied,  the  conclufion  of  the  poltfcript  ex- 
cepted*  which  has  no  reference  to  die  affair  of  IMon- 
jnouth. 


IT 


v       5*      J 

IT  was  a  confiderable  time  before  Congrefs  took  die 
General's  trial  under  their  consideration,  during  which 
our    unfortunate    hero    continued    l'martino-  under    the 

O 

frowns  of  fortune  and  the  malignant  tongues  of  men; 
and  to  add  to  his  furlerings  in  this  Hate  of  fufpenfe,  he 
received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Laurens,  One  of  General 
Washington's  aids,  informing  him,  «  that,  in  contempt 
of  decency  and  truth,  he  had  publicly  abufed  General 
Wafliington  in  the  grofieft  terms  ;"  that,  "  the  relation 
in  which  helloed  to  him,  forbade  him  to  pals  fuch  con- 
duct unnoticed  ;  he  therefore  demanded  the  f  itisfacVion 
which  he  was  entitled  to  •,  and  dcfiredr  that  as  foon  as 
General  Lee  mould  think  himfelf  at  liberty,  he  would 
appoint  time  and  place,  and  name  his  weapons."  With- 
out hefitation  this- was  accepted  ;  and  the  General  made 
choice  of  a  brace  of  piftols,  declining  the  fin-all  fword, 
becaufe  he  was  rather  in  a  weak  itatc  of  body,  having 
lately  received  a  fall  from  a  horfe,  and  alio  taken  a  quan- 
tity of  medicine  to  baffte  a  fit  of  the  gout,  which  he  ap- 
pr-'.hended.  They  met  according  to  appointment,  and 
diicharged  their  piitols,  when  General  Lee  received  a 
flight  wound  in  his  fide  ;  and  it  hath  been  faid,  that  on 
this  occafion,  he  dilplayed  the  greateft  fortitude  and  cou- 
rage. 

Shortly  after,  the  proceedings  of  the  court  Martial  on 
his  trial  came  under  confideration  in  Congrefs,  'and  pro- 
duced debates  for  feveral  evenings  ;  but,  finally,  the  fen- 
tence  was  confirmed.  The  General  was  much  dnTatif- 
fied  with  it,  and  his  mind  extremely  embittered  againll 
one  of  the  members,  Mr.  William  Henry  Drayton,  of 
South  Carolina.  This  gentleman's  conduct  was  vitupe- 
rated by  Lee  in  the  fevered  language,  becaufe  he  oppo- 
fed  in  Congrefs  a  divifion  of  the  feveral  charges  brought 
againft  him,  but  argued  and  infilled  upon  lumping  them 
all  together,  to  be  decided  by  one  quellion.  In  this  he 
was  ingenioully  and  warmly  oppofed  by  a  very  amiable 
and  worthy  gentleman,  Mr.  William  Paca,  a  late  go- 
vernor of  Maryland.  Here  we  muft  obferve,  that  prior 
to  this,  Mr.  Drayton  was  by  no  means  one  of  the  Gene- 

raft 


tfj 


) 


ral's  favonrites  ;'  he  had  taken  fome  unnece.Tary  liberties 
with  his  character,  in  a  charge  which  he  delivered  as 
chief  jutlicc  to  a  grand  jury  in  Charlefton,  South-Caro- 
lina.  His  temper  thus  exalperat-d,  he  could  no  longer 
retrain  from  emphatically  exprefiing  his  fenfe  of  the  in- 
juries he  had  received  from  Mr.  Drayton.  Thcfe  were 
deliveied,  intermixed  with  threatening  language)  to  Mr. 
Hutfon,  his  colleague  and  friend,  who  communicated 
the  fame.  A  correspondence  enfued,  fo  remarkable  for 
its  poignancy  of  reply,  as  maybe  worth  prcierving  in 
thefe  memoirs. 


Philadelphia)  Feb.  yd,  I  7  79. 
Sir, 

MY  colleague,  Mr  Hutfon,  hath  this  day  mentioned 
to  me,  a  coverfation  you  had  with  him,  in  which  you 
cxprcfied  yourfelf  as  injured  by  a  mifreprefeutation  of 
your  conduct  immediately  preceding  your  captivity  by 
the  cnemv,  in  a  charge  I  had  the  honour  to  deliv. 
Chief  Juilice,  to  the  Grand  Jury  of  Charlefton,  South 
Carolina. 

I  mult  inform  you,  Sir,  that  on  the  one  hand,  I  have 
been  repeatedly  allured  the  rcprefentation  I  then  made 
was  a  true  one  •,  and  that  on  the  other  hand,  I  have  alio 
been  allured  that  it  was  not  founded  on  fact  ;  and  that, 
immediately  upon  this  latter  alVurance  in  South  Caroli- 
■na  I  took  that  iten  which  was  molt  likelv  to  lead  me  to 
a  certainty  on  the  fubjei  t,  with  the  avowed  def.gn,  that 
if  I  had  injured  your  reputation,  I  might  be  enable  to 
make  the  molt  ample  reparation  ;  but  1  did  not  receive 
the  nefceffary  materials.  Thofe  ientiments  of  propriety 
which  dictated  the  firft  advance  an  my  part  then,  to  ac- 
quire them,  now  dictate  a  like  conduct  when  another 
opportunity  feems  to  open  itfelffor  mv  arriving  at  ; 
and  to  do  that  jultice  which  th<  cafe  may  require.  And 
I  do  allure  you,  that   if  I  can  he  declare,  that 

yuu  did   not  violate   the   orders   oi  the  conn; 

fchiefj 


(     3-1     ) 

chief,  re fpe air. g  your  junction  with  him,  when  hi 
retreated  to  the  Delaware  in    1776,  Iiliall  not  only  do 
fo  in  the   moil   pointed  terms,  but  beg  your  pardon  fo* 
having  through  error  and  mifreprefentation,  publifhe8 
the  contra 

To  this  purpofe^  I  wrote  to  Major  Euftace  on  the  6th 
of  January  ittH,  when  1  was  in  Clurleftou,  and  had  no 
proipei x  of  coming  to  this  part  of"  the  Continent  j  and  a 
copy  of  the  correspondence  between  him  and  myfeli  on 
the  occanon  I  will  lay  before  you,   if  you  clefire  to  fee  ir. 

Thofe  principles  of  honour  which  mu ft  make  you  feel 
an  injury,  make  me  feel  even  an  idea  of  having  done  an 
injury,  and  impels  me  to  make  a  reparation  where  it  is 
due.  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  moft  obedient  Servant, 

Wm,  HENRY  DRAYTON. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Philadelphia,  Fib.  $th,  1 7 79. 
Sir, 

I  SHOULD  have  done  myfelf  the  honour  of  anfwer- 
ing  you  letter  yefterday,  but  was  prevented  by  a  variety 
of  bufmefs.  If  I  have  violated  any  orders  of  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  to  him  and  the  Congrefs  only,  am  I 
refponfible  ;  but  certainly  am  not  amendable  to  the  tribu- 
nal of  Mr.  William  Henry  Drayton.  I  ihali  therefore 
remain  entirely  indifferent  whether  you  are  pleafed  to 
think  or  dream  that  I  defignedly  threw  myfelf  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  or  whether  . I  was  not  taken  by  a 
concurrence  of  unfortunate  circumftinces,  fuch  as  hap- 
pen in  the  courfe  of  all  wars.  The  only  remark  I  Avail 
make  on  your  extraordinary  requifition,  that  I' mould 
clear  myfelf  on  this  point  to  you  (imply,  Mr.  William 
Henry  Drayton,  whom  I  confider  but  as  a  mere  com- 
mon member  of  Congrefs,  is,  that  you  pay  a  very  ill  com- 
pliment to  the  General.  You  muft  fuppofe  him  either 
miferably  deficient  in  underftanding,  or  in  integrity 

fcrvaivt 


(    35     ) 

jervant  of  the  public,  wheji  you  fuppofe  that  he  would 
ijuffer  a  man,  forafmglc  day  toad  ashisfecond  in  com* 
mand,  whom  he  knows  to  be  guilty  of  iuch  abominable 
military  treafon.  This  ingenious  fuppofition,  therefore, 
is,  in  my  opinion,  a  greater  affront  to  the  General  than  to 
myfelf. 

I  am  (incerely  concerned  that  my  friend  Euftace  fhouJd 
have  degraded  himfclf  fo  far  as  to  enter  into  anydifcuiii- 
on  of  this  matter  with  Mr.  William  Henry  Drayton  ; 
and  I  fhall  reprimand  hini  for  not  undcrltanding  his  own 
dignity  better.  I  lhall  now  only  take  the  trouble  of  ad- 
ding, that  if  you  can  reconcile  your  conduct  in  flepping 
out  of  the  road  (as  I  am  informed  you  did  in  your  charge 
to  the  gwr.id  jury)  to  aggravate  the  calamities  of  .m  un- 
happy man,  who  had  facrificed  every  thing  to  the  caufe 
of  your  country,  and  as  he  then  conceived,  to  the  ri 
of  mankind  ;  who  had  facrificed  an  ample,  ah  lcr.lt  an  eafy 
am!  mil-pendant  fortune,  the  molt  honourable  connecti- 
ons, great  military  pretentions^  his  friends  and  relations  : 
1  fay  if  vou  can  reconcile  your  ftepping  out  of  the  road 
ko  agravate  the  calamities  of  man  who  had  notoriofiy 
made  thefe  facrifices,  and  who  at  the  very  time  vou 
was  difplaying  vour  generous  eloquence,  had  no  lefj  thai* 
fiveecntinels  on  his  perfon,  and  was  fulfering  extremely 
in  body  and  mind — If  you  can,  I  repeat,  reconcile  fucn 
■procedure  to  common  humanity,  common  fenfe,  or 
common  decency,  you  muft  ltill  be  a  more  lingular  per* 
fonage  than  the  public  at  prefent  conlider  you. 
1  am,  Sir, 

Your  mod  obedient, 

Humble  Servant, 

CHARLES  LEE, 
"William  Henry  Drayton,  Efq. 


Philadelphia,  Feb.  8th,  I  7  79. 
Sin, 


AT  nine  o'clock  Iaft  night,  I  received  yours  of  the 
fifth  inftant,  in  anfwer  to  mine  of  the  third.     But  as  X 

have 


(     36  .) 

have  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  enter  into  a  compe- 
tition* whether  Mr.  Charles  Lee,  or  Mr.  William  Henry 
Drayton,  can  raile  the  moll  ingenious  fuppofition,  lay  the 
keeneft  thing,  and  pen  the  molt  finilhed  period  with 
parenthefis  •,  nor  ambition  to  correspond  \\  ith  you  in 
your  iimple  character  of  Mr.  Charles  Lee,  whom  I  can 
no't  confider  biit  as  legally  .difgraced  for  being  guilty  of 
abominable  military  treat  on  againft  a  community  of  the 
mod  liberal,  juit,  and  generous:  and,  I  mufl  add,  merci- 
ful people  on  the  face  of  the  globe  :  I  fay,  perfectly  fa- 
tisfied  with  my  fimple  character  of  Mr.  William  Henry 
Drayjtpn,  "  a  mere  common  member  of  Congrefs,"  and 
'»  a  mere  Chief  Jullice  of  South  Carolina,"  I  {hall  do 
myielf  the  honour,  out  of  breath  as  I  am  with  parenthe- 
fes,  tp  make  only  one  obfervation  in  reply,  absolutely 
terminating  the  correfpondence  on  my  part,  That  I  ve- 
rily believe  we  equally  remain  entirely  indifferent  with 
refpect  to  what  either  is  "  pleafed  to  think  or  dream." 
And  now  finally  taken  my  leave  of  Mr.  Charles  Lee, 
with  common  decency  from  refpect  to  my  Iimple  cha- 
i^cter, 

I  fubferibe  myfelf,  Sir, 

Your  molt  obedient  Servant, 

Wm,  HENRY  DRAYTON. 
Major  Chailes  Lee. 


Philadelphia,  March  1 5 A-',  T779. 
Sir, 

AS  I  have  now  fettled  all  my  affairs,  and  as  I  am  given  " 
to  underftand  that  you  probably  may  loon  fet  out  for 
South  Carolina,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addrefling  this  let- 
ter to  you  which  is  to  clofe  our  correfpondence  for  ever. 
Until  very  lately  I  was  taught  to  confider  you  onfy  as  a 
fantaftic,  pompous  dramatis perfona,  a  mere  walvolio,  ne- 
ver to  be  fpoke  or  thought  of  but  for  the  fake  of  laugh- 
ter ;  and  when  the  humour  for  laughter  fubfided,  never 
to  be  fpoke  or  thought  of  more.  But  I  find  I  was  mis- 
taken ; 


(   '37     ) 

taken-;  I  find  that  you  are  as  malignant  a  fcoundrel  as 
you  are  univerfally  allowed  to  be  a  ridiculous  *:id  dil- 
guiling  coxcomb. 

You  are  pleafed  to  fay,  tliat  I  am  legally  difgraccd  ; 
all  that  1  ihall  fay  in  reply  is,  that  lam  able  confidently 
to  pronounce,  that  every  man  of  rank  in  the  whole  ar- 
mv,  eVery  man  on  the  Continent,  who  had  read  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Court  Martial  (perhaps,  indeed,  I  might 
except  Mr.  Penn  of  North  Carolina,  and  Dr.  Scudder 
of  the  Jtrlles,  with  a  few  others  about  their  iize  in  un- 
dcrftanding)  is  of  the  opinion,  that  the  ftigma  is  not  on 
him  on  whom  the  fentenre  was  pa fled,  bat  on  thole  who 
palled  this  abfurd,  iniquitous,  and  prepofterousfenteuce; 
for,  to  be  juft,  I  do  not  believe  you  quite  blockhead 
enough  to  think  the  charge  had  a  (hadow  of  report ; 
and  if,  by  fome  wonderful  metamorphofis,  you  ihould 
become  an  honeft  man,  you  will  confefs  it.  As  to  the 
confirmation  of  this  curious  fentence,  I  do  not  conceive 
myfclf  at  liberty  to  make  any  comments  on  it,  as  it  is  an 
afrair  of  Congrefs,  for  which  body  1  ever  had,  and  ought: 
to  have  a  profound  relpecd.  I  ihall  only  lament  that 
they  are  difgraccd  by  {o  foul  a  member  as  Mr.  William 
Henry  Drayton.  You  ttll  me  the  Americans  are  the 
molt  merciful  people  on  the  face  of  the  earth  :  I  think  fo> 
too  ;  and  the  ftrongeft  inftance  of  it  is,  that  they  did 
not  long  ago  hang  up  you,  and  every  advocate  for  the 
llamp-acl:  ;  and  do  not  flatter  youdelf,  that  the  prefent 
virtuous  airs  of  patriotifm  you  may  give  younllf,  and 
four  hard  laboured  letters  to  the  Commiffioners  .\n<\ 
King,  will  ever  walh  away  the  (lain.  If  you  think 
term6  I  make  ufe  of  harfh  or  unmerited,  my  friend  Majoc 
Edwards  is  commifiioned  to  point  out  your  remedy. 

CHARLES'  LEE. 
William  Henry  Drayton,  Efq. 


THIS  correfpondence,  which  produced  nothing  but 
inkfhed,  being  finifhed,  the  General  retired  to  his  plan- 
tation in  Berkley  county,  Virginia,  where,  ±1111  irritated 

E  with 


(     3S     ) 

with  the  ftfuwrllous  attacks  he  had  met  with  from  feveral 
■writers  and  others  in  Philadelphia,  he  could  not  forbeajr 

giving  vent  to  the  bittcrnefs  of  his  feelings;  and  in  this 
mifanthropic  difpofition,  compofed  a  fet  of  queries, 
whuh  he  rtyted  Political  and  Military.  Thefe  he  il-nt 
by  one  of  his  aids  to  the  printers  of  Philadelphia,  for 
publication  ;  but  they  thought  it  imprudent  to  admit 
them  into  their  papers,  as  General  Washington  poflefled 
fhe  heavi?  and  admiration  of  every  one  :  he  therefore  ap- 
plied to  the  editor  of  the  Maryland  Journal,  at  Baltimore 
who  indulged  hun  with  their  infertion.  The  queries  no 
fooner  made  their  appearance,  but  a  confidcrable  dit'hirb- 
an.ee  took  place  among  the  citizens  of  Baltimore  :  the 
printer  was  called  upon  for  the  author,  and  obliged  to 
give  up  his  name.  General-  Reed,  then  Preiident  of  the 
State  of Pennfylvaniaj  conceiving  himfelf  to  be  injured, 
published  the  fubfequent  piece  for  his  juftifkation. 


THE  afperfiorts  which  have  been  thrown  on  my  own 
-character  from  the  prefs,  I  have  ever  defpifed  too  much 
to  take  the  leaft  notice  of  them  ;  but  when  a  molt  valua- 
ble and  amiable  character  is  attacked  through  me,  I  think 
k  in  my  dutv  to  remark  it,  and  guard  the  public  from  er-  I 
ror,  even  in  opinion. 

In  a  fet  of  queries,  defigned  to  leffen  the  character  of 
General  Waihington,  in  a  late  paper,  I  am  alluded  to  lb 
particularly  as  not  to  be  miftaken,  and  quoted,  as  having 
Uirniihed  evidences  under  my  own  hand,  that  General 
WafhingtoQ  was  not  the  diltinguifhed  character  the  ad- 
drctTes  of  the  Council  of  this  State  had  represented  •,  from 
which  an  inference  is  to  be  drawn  prejudicial  to  the  Ge- 
neral in  point  of  ability,  and  the  Council  in  coniiitencv, 
.fofar  as  I  had  any  fhare  in  thofe  addrefles.  This  infi- 
rTuatlon  I  therefore  think  it  my  duty  to  contradict  :  and, 
though  the  fanctity  of  private  and  confidential  correspon- 
dence hag  been  grofsly  violated  on  thioocca(ion,Ifl)Ould 
have  p.  fifed  it  by,  if  the  fact  had  not  been  as  grofsly  mif-  j 
ila  ■  i  '  Hie 


(     39    ) 

The  only  ground  on  which  this  Uj{yiuaUon  cr.n  be 
made,  arofe  from  the  following  circurhftauce  :  In  tlic 
fall,  1770,  I  was  extreme!)  anxious  that  Fort  wafhing- 
ton  Should  be  evacuated  ;  there  was  a  ditference  in  opi- 
'  nion  among  thofe  whom  tht  General  confiilted,  and  he 
hefitated  more  than  I  ever  knew  him  on  any  other  occaG- 
on,  and  more  than  I  thought  the  public  fcrvice  admitted. 
Knowing  that  General  Lee's  opinion  w(  aid  be  a 
fupport  to  mine,  I  wrote  to  him  from  rtackmfack,  Hat- 
ing the  cafe,  and  my  reafons,  and,  1  think,  urging  him 
to  join  me  in  fentiment  at  the  clole  of  my  letter  - 
alluding  to  the  particular  fubject  then  before  me,  to  the 
belt  of  my  recollection,  I  added  th'.  :  "  With 

a  thousand  good  and  great  qualities,  th<  ant  of 

decifion  to  complete  the  perfect  milita:  fcer." 

Upon  this  fentence,  or  one  to  th'-  .  wrote   in 

hade,  in  full   confidence,  and   ii 

event,  is  this  ungenerous  fentiment  intr<  >to  the 

world.     The  event  but  too  fully  juilified  my  anxiety  j 
for  the  fort  was  fummoned  that  vs  furren- 

dered  the  next.     I  absolutely  deny  that  there  is  any  other 
ground  but  this  letter  :  and  if  tl  let  it  be  produ- 

ced.    I  have   now  only   to  add,  that  though  General 
"Washington  foon  after,  by  an  accident,  knew  of  this  cir- 
cum (lance,  it  never  lefTcncd  tliefriendihipwliichfu 
cd  between  us.     lie  had  too  much  greati  lindto 

fuppofe  himfelf  incapable  of  miitakes,  or  to  did  a 
faithful  friend,  who  fhouid  note  an  error  with  fueh  cir- 
cumltances  of  refpecl,  and  on  Inch  an  occaficn.  I  have 
Cnce  been  with  this  great  and  good  man,  for  fuch  lie  is, 
nt  very  critical  moments  ;  and  I  hope  I  ihall  not  b 
peeled  of  unbecoming  adulation,  when  I  allure  my 
countrymen,  (fo  far  as  my  opinion  is  thought  of  any 
confequence)  that  they  may  repofc  themiclves  in  perfect 
confidence  on  his  prudence  and  judgment,  which  are 
equal  to  any  circumilances  ; — and  that  repeated  experi- 
ence of  the  value  of  his  opinions,  have  infpired  him 
with  more  dependance  on  them  than  his  modefty  and 
diffidence  would  in  fomc  cafes  formerly   admit.     Time 

will 


(     4°     ) 

will  lhcw,  whether  hia  enemies  will  not  find  themfejvea 
disappointed  in  their  attempts  to  fliake  the  public  confi- 
dence, and  lefien  a  character  of  fo  much  worth,  to  gra- 
tify private,  violent  refentments. 

JOSEPH  REED. 

Philadelphia,  July  14th,  1 7  79. 


TO  judge  of  the  propriety  of  General  Reed's  perform- 
ance, it  will  be  rieceffary  to  refer  the  reader  to  his  letter 
in  page  1  78,  which  is  a  true  copy  from  the  original,  in 
his  own  hand  writing. 

Lee  remained  at  his  retreat,  living  in  a  ftyle  peculiar 
to  himfelf,  in  a  houfe  more  lijke  a  barn  than  a  palace. 
Glafs  windows  andplaiftering  would  have  been  luxurious 
extravagance,  and  his  furniture  confided  of  a  very  few 
necefiary  articles ;  indeed  he  was  now  fo  rullicated  that 
he  could  have  lived  in  a  tub  with  Diogenes  :  however 
he  had  got  a  few  felecl  valuable  authors,  and  thefe  ena- 
bled him  -to  pafs  away  his  time  in  this  obfeurity.  In  the 
fall,  1782,  he  began  to  be  weary  with  the  fameneft  of 
his  fituation  •,  and  experiencing  his  unfitnefsfor  the  ma- 
nagement of  country  bufinefs,  he  came  to  a  determinati- 
on to  fell  his  eftate,  and  procure  a  little  fettlement  near 
foroe  fea-port  town,  where  he  might  learn  what  the 
world  was  doing,  and  enjoy  the  converfation  of  man-, 
kind. 

His  farm,  though  an  excellent  tract  of  land,  rather 
brought  him  in  debt  at  the  end  of  the  year,  and  added  to 
the  difficulties  he  laboured  under.  It  is  no  wonder,  then, 
he  was  inclined  to  relinquifh  his  prefent  fyftem  of  life. 
He  left  Berkley,  and  came  to  Baltimore,  where  he'ftaid 
near  a  week  with  fome  old  friends,  and  then  took  his  leave 
for  Philadephia. 

.  It  is  prefumed  he  now  found  a  difference  between  a 
General  in  command,  and  one  deltitute  of  every  thing  but 
the  name  ;  for  we  do  not  find  him  entertained  at  the 
houfe  of  any  private  citizen.     lie  took  lodgings  at  an  inn 

the 


(     4i      ) 

the  fign  of  the  Conveftigoe  ^aggon,  in  Market-ilrect. 
After  being  three  or  four  days  in  the  city,  he  was  taken 
with  a  fliivering,  the  forerunner  o(  a  fever,  which  put  a 
period  to  his  exigence,  October  2d,  1782. 

A  friend  of  the  Editor's  was  at   the  inn  when  he  took 
his  departure  from  this  worl  fervants  informed 

hhn  that  General  Lee  was  dying  :  up 
into  the  room  ;  he  was  then   ftrogling  wi 
terrors,  and  feemed  to  have  loft  his  fenfes  ;  the  I 
he  heard  him   fpeak   were,  "  Stand  by  me,   n 
grenadiers  I" 

The  citizens- of  Philadelphia,  calling  to  remembra 
his  former  fervices,   appeared  to  be  much  ai  his 

death.     His  funeral  was  attended  with  a  very  lai 
courie  of  people,  the  clergy  of  different  denominatio 
his  excellency  the  prefident  of  Cangrefs,  the  president, 
andfome  members  of  the  council  of  the  commonwealth 
of  Pennfylvania,  his  excellency,  die  miniiter  plei 
tiary  of  Trance,  M.  Marbois  fecrcrary  to  the  embaily,  the 
miniiler  of  finance,  General  baron  de  Vieminil,  duke  de 
Laufam,  the  minuter  of  war,  and  feveral  other  oi 
diilinction  both  in  the  French  and  American  army. 

From  what  hath  been  obferved  in  thete  memoirs,  we 
may  with  juft ice  affirm, that  General  Lee  was  .1  great  and 
fiucere  friend  to  the  rights  and  liberties'of  mankind,  and 
that  it  was  this  grand  principle  which  led  him  to  I 
part  on  the  fide  of  America.  It  appears,  that,  from 
youth,  lie  was  bred  up  with  the  higheft  regard  for  the 
noble  fentiments  of  freedom  ;  his  education  and  reading 
itrcngthened'them  ;  the  hiftorians  and  orators  of  Greece 
and  Rome,  with  whom  he  was  contiderabiy  convenant, 
added  to  the  lacred  flame  ;  and  his  travels  m  many  parts 
of  the  world  did  not  tend  to  diminifh  it. 

When  a  boy  he  was  fent  to  an  academy  in  Switzer- 
land, and  he  has  frequently  faid  to  his  friends,  that  he 
was  there  (truck  with  the  general  happinefs,  affluen 
cafe  diifufed  throughout  that  country,  notwithstanding 
its  natural  difadvantages  cf  foil  and  climate.  In  one  of 
hio  letters,  he  expreffeshimfelfin  this  manner  :  "  When 
E  2  I  was 


(      42      ) 

I  was  quite  young  in  Switzerland,  I  could  not  help  com- 
paring the  robuft  well  clothed  commonalty  of  this  coun- 
try, with  their  miferable  neighbours  of  France,  a  fpot 
upon  whicM  ftarure  feems  to  have  taken  pains  to  confer 
her  favours.  To  France,  Nature  has  given  the  molt 
fruitful  loil,  which  produceth  not  only  every  ncceflary, 
but  every  luxury  of  life.  She  lias  given  to  its  people  a 
lively,  active,  enterprifing  genius,  a  climate  upon  the 
whole  the  belt  of  the  world — To  ihc  Swifs,  the  bequeath- 
ed rocks,  mountains,  and,  as  it  is  thought,  very  inferior 
mental  faculties  ;  and  yet  the  Swifs  are  rich,  happy  and 
vefpectablc  ;  the  French,  ltarving  and  contemptible.  In 
Italy,  the  contrail  betwixt  the  free  ami  thole  who  are  not 
free,  is  Hill  more  remarkable  ;  1  know  very  well,  that  the 
republics  of  Genoa  and  Venice  are  not  in  general  allowed 
to  be  free  ftates.  Monfieur  Montefquteu  hasdemonltrat- 
cd  that  they  are  not  free  ;  but  there  is  undoubtedly  forrie 
excellence  in  them,  which  has  efcapedthis  vile  man — 
{hall  Ibeg  leave  to  hazard  a  conjecture  ?  They  have  no 
king  :  They  line  no  cOurt/' 

The  general  had  read  both  men  and  books  •,  his  rc.ul- 
iug  and  travels  were  extenfive,  and  of  couvfc  his  man- 
ners eafy  arid  nee  c\  embarraflrherit ;  fo  that  he  was  fre- 
quently accuftomed  to  deliver  his  fentiments  and  feel- 
ings without  dilgnife,  from  the  firft  irhpreflions,  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  the  objects  which  prefented. 

Tins  liberality  oi  cpnduct,  and  opennefs  of  difpolition, 
in  a  young  country,  caufed  many  to  doubt  of  his  belief 
in  revi  ligion  ;  the  common  people,  at  hit  confj- 

dered  him  as  an  ath'eift  ;  while  thofe  of  a  higher  dais 
were  more  indulgent  to  his  principles.  If  we  were  to 
form  a  judgment  on  this  fubjecr,  from  his  private  co:- 
refpondence,  we  fhould  not  accufe  him  as  totally  defti- 
tute  of  religious  notions,  for  it  appears  that  he  enter- 
tained fome  grand  and  mbiime  ideas  of  the  Supreme  lie-, 
ing,  and  was  ftrongly  purfuaded  that  vm  fociety  could 
exift  without  religion. 

He  has  often  afferted  that  he  thought  the  Chrifti  an 
religion,  unincumbered  of  its  fophifti cations,  the  molt 

excellent, 


(     43     ) 

excellent,  as  comprehending  the  rnoft  divine  fyftem  of 
ethics,  confequently  of  a  divine  nature  ;  but  at  the  fame 
time  he  disapproved  of  the  length  and  tedioufnefs  of 
the  liturgies  of  the  various  feels.  As  to  the  dogmas,  he 
t'onfidered  many  of  them  abfurd,  if  not  impious,  and  de- 
rogatory to  the  honour,  dignity  arid  wifdom  of  the  God- 
head, or  omnifcienf  ruler  ami  moderator  of  the  infinity 
of  worlds  that  fin  round  us. 

The  General,  in  his  perfon,  was  of  a  genteel  make, 
i  and  rather  above  the  middle  fize ;  his  remarkable  aqui- 
line nofc  rendered  his  face  Somewhat  difagreeable.  He 
was  mailer  of  a  moll  genteel  addrefs  ;  but,  in  the  latter 
part  ci  his  life,  became  exceffively  negligent  of  the  gra- 
ces, both  in  garb  and  behaviour.  A  talent -4 or  repartee, 
united  with  a  quickneSe  of  penetration,  created  him  ma- 
ny enemies.  A  character  fo  eccentric  and  lingular,  could 
not  fail  of  attracting  the  popular  attention.  His  fnuul 
friends  fr<  quently  panned  feverc  criticifms  on  Jus  words 
and  atlions.  Narrowly  watched,  every  little  Hip  or  fai- 
lure was  noticed,  anil  rcprefented  to  his  disadvantage. 
The  objecliwiis  to  his  moral  conduct  were  numerous, 
and  his  great  fondnefs  for  dogs  brought  on  him  the  dif- 
hkc  and  frowns  of  the  fair  lex  :  for  the  General  would 
permit  his  canine  adherents  to  follow  him  to  the  parlour, 
the  bed-room,  and  Sometimes  they  might  be  Seen  on  a 
chair  next  his  elbow  at  table. 

As  the  ladies  are  commonly  againft  any  tranfgrciTions 
of  the  laws  of  decency  and  clcanlinefs,  it  is  no  wonder  a 
fhynefs  commenced  between  them  and  the  General. 
This  hath  given  fome  perfons  an  idea  of  his  being  averfe 
to  women,  which  in  reality  was  not  the  cafe  ;  for  his 
life  and  pefthumous  papers  will  furnifn  Several  exam- 
ples of  his  early  attachment  to  them  •,  and  a  letter  to 
him,  from  a  Britifh  officer  in  Montreal,  in  1774,  con- 
\  i'lces  the  Editor  of  his  having  been  Sufceptible  of  the 
fame  feelings  with  other  men,  and  of  his  having  fre- 
quently indulged  himfelf  in  gallantry  with  the  ladies. 
"  During  the  winter,"  favs  this  officer,  who  was  the 
General's  intimate  friend,  «  I   took  a  trip   to  Quebec, 

where 


I     44     ) 

where  I  palled  feveral  agreeable  days  with  •  ur 
,1  delivered  your  compliments  to  her,  and  fhe  enquire  J 
particularly  about  you,  defiring  me  to  return  them  molt 
iiucereiv  whenever  I  wrote — She  is  the  fame  amialslq 
creature,  whofe  difpofition  neither  climate  nor  couatvy 
can  alter,  and  as  ftrongly  attached  to  you  as  ever."  And 
his  letter  from  Warfaw  to  Louifa,  demonftrates  the  fame 
fad. 

There  is  great  probability  the  General  was  the  fa  it 
perion  who  fuggefted  the  idea  that  America  ought  to 
declare  herlelf  independent.  When  lie  was  lent  by  the 
commander  in  chief  to  New-York,  he  behaved  with  fuch 
activity  and  fpirit,  infufing  the  fame  into  the  minds  oi  Ids 
troops  and  the  people,  that  Mr.  John  Adams  laid,  "  a 
happier  expedition  never  was  projected  j  and  that  the 
whole  Wig  world  were  bleihng  him  for  it."  About 
this  time  Doctor  Franklin  gave  Mr.  Thomas  Paine,  the 
celebrated  author  of  Common  Senfe,  an  introductory  let- 
ter to  him,  in  which  were  thefe  words  :  "  The  bearer, 
Mr.  Paine,  has  requefted  a  line  of  introduction  to  you, 
which  I  give  the  more  willingly,  as  I  know  his  fenti 
merits  are  not  very  different  from  yours."  A  few  days 
after,  the  Doctor  writes  again,  "  There  is  a  kind  of*! 
fufpenfe  in  men's  minds  here  at  prefent,  waiting  to  fee 
what  terms  will  be  offered  from  England — I  expect  aone 
that  we  can  accept ;  and  when  that  is  generally- leen, 
we  lhall  be  mere  unanimous  and  more  decilive.  Then 
your  propofed  folemn  league  and  covenant  will  go 
better  down,  and  perhaps  mod  of  your  ether  Jfraag 
meqfures  adopted."  In  a  leter  to  Edward  Rutlege,  Efq. 
in  the  fpfing  of  1776,  then  a  member  of  the  Continen- 
tal Congrefs,  the  General  thus  ex  profits  himfelf.  "  As 
your  affairs  profper,  the  timidity  of  the  fenatorial  part  of 
the  continent,  great  and  fmall,  grows  and  extends  itlelf. 
By  the  Eternal  G — d,  unlets  you  (he lure  your/elves  inde- 
pendent, eftablifh  a  more'eertain  and  fixed  legiflature 
than  that  of  a  temporary  courtefy  of  the  people,  you 
richly  deferve  to  be  enilaved,  and  I  "think  far  from  im- 
poflible  that  it  fliould  be  your  lot ;  as,  without  a  more 

fyfteniati<; 


(     45     ) 

fyfhcmatlc  intercourfe  with  France  and  Holland,  we  can- 
not, \vc  have  not  the  means  of  carrying  on  the  war." 
There  are  other  epiitles  of  his,  of  a  firailar  lpirit  and 
diction. 

The  more  we  inveftigate  the  General's  character  and 
conduct,  the  more  confpicuous  his  ferviccs   will  appear. 
I  In  the  infancy  of  the  American  difpute,  we  all  find  him 
!  continually  fuggefting  and  forwarding  plans  for  the  de-. 
'  fence  of  the  country  ;  and  though  he  was  a  profefied 
enemy  to  a  ftahding  army,  he  was  always  recommend- 
ing a  well  regulated  militia.     This  he  considered  as  the 
natural  ftrength  of  a  country,  and  abfolutely  neceflary 
for  its  fafety  and  prefervatioh. 

He  has  frequently  aflerted,  that  a  more  pernicious 
idea  could  not  enter  into  the  heads  of  the  citizens,  than 
that  rigid  difcipline,  and  a  fl.ridt  fubjection  to  military 
rules,  were  incompatible  with  civil  liberty  ;  and  he  was 
of  opinion,  that  when  the  bulk  of  a  community  would 
not  fubmit  to  the  ordinances  neceflary  for  the  preferva- 
tion  of  military  difcipline,  their  liberty  could  not  be  of 
long  continuance. 

The  liberty  of  every  commonwealth  muft  be  protected 
ultimately  by  military  force.  Military  force  depends  up- 
on order  and  difcipline  :  without  order  and  discipline, 
the  greateft  number  of  armed  men  are  only  a  contemp- 
tible mob  ;  a  handful  of  regulars  muft  difberfe  them. 
--It  follows  then,  that  the  citizens  r.t  Lucre  muft  fubmit  to 
the  means  of  oncoming  foldiers,  or  tli ■.:  they  mult  com- 
mit the  protection  of  their  lives  and  property  to  a  dif- 
tinct  body  oi  men,  who  will  naturally,  in  a  {hort  time, 
fet  up  a  profeffional  intereft,  feparate  from  the  commu- 
nity at  large.  To  this  caufe  we  may  attribute  the  fub- 
veriion  of  every  free  Stare  that  to  us. 

The  Romans  were  certainly  the  J  molt  glo 

.it  have  figured  on  the  face. of  tl 
continued  free  longeft.     Every 
and   a  foJdier   not   in    nam.',   but  in  fact  -,  by 
meant,  tl  at  they  were  the  molt  rigid  .  i 

tary  iuftitutions.     The  General  therefore  thought  it  ex- 
pedient 


(     40     ) 

pedrent  that  every  State  in  America  fhould  be  extreme 
careful  to  perfect  the  laws  relative  to  their  militia  ;  an 
that,  where  they  were  glaringly  defective,   they  ihoul 
be  made  more  efficient ;  and  that  it  flwuld  be  eilablHhetl 
as  a  point  of  honour,  and  the   criterion  of  a  virtuous 
citi/en,  to  pay  the  greateu  deference  to  the  common  ne- 
ceflary  laws  of  a  camp. 

The  mcit  difficult  taflc  the  Editor  met  with  in  collect- 
ing and.  arranging  thefe  Pofthumous  Papers,  arofe  from 
Ills  defire  of  not  giving  offence  to  fueh  characters  as  had 
been  the  objecl  of  the  General's  avcrfion  and  refentment. 
Unhappily  bis  difappointments  had  foured  his  temper;* 
the  affair  of  Monmouth,  feveral  pieces  of  fcurrility  from 
the  prefs,  and  numerous  inftances  of  private  (lander  and 
defamation,  fo  far  got  the  better  of  his  philofophy,  as  to 
provoke  him  in  the  highell  degree,  and  he  became,  as  it 
were,  angry  with  all  mankind. 

To  this  exafperated  difpefition  we  may  impute  the 
origin  of  his  political  queries,  and  a  number  of  fatirical 
hints  thrown  out  both  in  his  converfation  and  writing, 
againfl  the  Commander  in  Chief.  Humanity  will  draw 
a  veil  over  the  involuntary  errors  of  fenfibility,  and  par- 
don the  /allies  of  a  fuffering  mind,  as  its  prefages  did 
not  meet  with  an  accomplifhment.  General  Waihing- 
ten,  by  his  retirement,  dcmonflrated  to  the  world,  that] 
power  was  not  his  of>je£t  j  that  America  had  nothing 
to  fear  from  his  ambition  ;  but  that  fhe  was  honoured 
with  a  fpecimen  of  fuch  exalted  patriotifm  as  could  not 
fail  to  attract  the  attention  and  admiration  of  the  molt 
diftant  nations. 

The  reader  will  not  wonder  that  General  Lee,  disap- 
pointed in  his  career  of  glory,  fhould  be  continually  in- 
culcating an  idea  of  the  extreme  danger  of  trufting  too 
much  to  the  wifdom  of  one,  for  the  fafety  of  the  whole  i 
that  he  fhould  confider  it  as  repugnant  to  the  principles 
of  freedom  and  republicanism,  to  continue  for  years, 
one  man  as  commander  in  chief  ;  that  thei-e  fliould  be  a 
rotation  of  office,  military  as  well  as  civil  ;  and  though 
the  commander  of  an  army  pofleficd  all  the  virtues  of 

Cato 


(     47     ) 

Cato,  and  the  talents  of  Julius  Cxfar,  it  could  not  alter 
the  nature  of  the  thing  ;  fmcc  by  habituating  the  peo- 
ple to  look  up  to  one  man,  all  true  republican  fpirit  be- 
came enervatedj  and  a  vifible  propenfitjr  to  mon.irehic.il 
government  was  created  and  foftered  j  that  there  was  a 
charm  in  the  long  poflidnon  of  high  office,  and  in  the 
pomp  and  influence  that  attended  it,  which  might  cor- 
rupt the  heft  difpofitions. 

Indeed  it  was  the  opinion  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  whole 
virtues  not  only  honoured  the  throne,  but  human  nature, 
that  to  have  the  power  of  doing  much,  and  to  confine 
that  power  to  doing  good,  was  a  prodigy  in  nature.  Such 
lentiments  of  this  divine  prince,  who  was  not  only  train- 
ed up  in  the  fchools  of  auftcre  philofophy,  but  whole 
elevated  fituation  rendered  him  the  riolt  able  judge  of 
the  difficulty  there  is  in  not  abudng  extenfive  power, 
when  we  have  it  in  our  hands,  furuiih  fubftantial  argu- 
ments for  not  entrufting  it  to  any  mortal  whatf'oever. 
But  while  we  are  convinced  of  the  Juftneft  of  thefe  kn~ 
timents,  we  are  led  the  more  to  reipect  and  reverence 
our  moll  dilinterelled  Commander  in  Chief,  who  itandj 
ponfpicuous,  with  unrivalled  glory,  fttperior  to  the  fal- 
cinations  which  have  overthrown  many  a  great  and  no- 
ble mind, 

The  editor  conceives  his  prefent  labours,  in  the  com- 
pilation of  this  vfork,  will  be  ufeful,  and  throw  fome 
light  on  the  hiitory  of  the  late  revolution — a  monument 
of  the  arduous  ftruggle,  exhibiting  a  faithful  and  valua- 
ble collection  of  military  and  political  correspondence. 

EDWARD  LANGWORTHY, 

Baltimore •,  March   io.'/-,  1787. 


MISCEL- 


(     4S     ) 


MISCELLANEOUS    PIECES, 


FROM  THE  PATERS  OF  THE  LATE 


Major  General  CHARLES  LEE. 


A  SKETCH  OF  A  PLAN  FOR  THE  FORMATION  OF  A 
MIUTART  COLON T. 

I  WILL  fuppofe  the  number  to  confift  of  ten  thoufand 
men,  with  their  full  proportion  of  officers  of  differ- 
ent ranks,  and  children.  There  fhall  be  no  difr.mc.tion 
made  in  the  distribution  of  lands,  betwixt  the  general 
officers  and  colonels  •,  but  as  it  appears  that  there  fhould, 
for  the  fake  of  order,  be  fome  difference  of  property  in 
the  different  claffes  of  men,  I  would  propofe  the  follow- 
ing plan  of  distribution, — "When  the  capital  is  once  fix- 
ed, immediately  round  it  by  lot — Every  colonel  to  have 
two  thoufand  five  hundred  acres*;  every  lieutenant-colo- 
nel, two  thoufand  ;  major,  fifteen  hundred  •>  captain, 
one  thoufand  ;  lieutenants  and  enfigns,  feven  hundred 
each  ;  each  ferjeattt  three  hundred  ;  every  rank  and  file 
two  hundred.  Another  circle  drawn  round  it,  contain- 
ing the  fame  number  of  acres,  fhall  be  in  common,  for 
the  ufe  of  the  whole  community  ;  where  cattle  fhall  have 
the  liberty  of  ranging.  Beyond  this  circle  another  fhall 
be  drawn,  of  an  equal  number  of  acres,  with  the  fame 
proportion  of  acres  for  every  member  of  the  community. 
So  that  every  colonel  will,  in  fact,  be  matter  of  five 
thoufand  acres,  every  lieutenant-colonel  of  four,  every 
major  of  three,  every  captain  of  two  thoufand,  and  eve- 
ry rank  and  file  of  four  hundred  ;  one  half  within  the 
capital  precinct,  and  the  other  half  in  what  I  call  the 

pomeerium 


(     49     ) 

pcmocrium  of  the  flatc  •,  the  intermediate  dial!   be 
|ed  to  the  rearing  of  horfes  for  the  pubhe  fei 
cattle,  to  form  magazines  for  war. 

The  lots  in  the  pomcerium  are  intended  for  the  chil- 
dren of  the  State,  when  they  are  of  an  age  to  fettle  and 
jnarry.  As  the  colony  is  miltiry,  (as  every  colony  ought 
to  be,  if  they  intend  to  he  free)  a  conitant  ©xercifed 
militia  fhall  be  kept  up,  but  by  annual  rotation:  for  which 
purpofc,  the  fifth  part  of  the  men  lit  to  bear  arms,  from, 
feventeen  to  forty-five,  lhall  be  embodied  for  two  months 
of  the  year,  their  manoeuvres  as  (imple  as  can  be  deviled  : 
but  no  fubltitutes  are  to  be  allowed,  on  any  pretence, 
but  abfolute  infirmity  ;  and  even  thofewho  are  not  em- 
bodied, dull,  in  their  certain  dillricts,  be  obliged  to  af- 
lemble  every  week,  practice  fome  fimple  evolutious,  fuch 
as  marching  in  front,  retreating  arid  rallying  by  their  co- 

irs,  and  all  firing  at  marks. 

A  (landing  fmall  body  of  horfe,  and  of  artillery,  (hall 
beconftantl*kept  up  at  the  public  expence,  as  thefc 
Ipecies  of  troops  are  not  to  be  formed  in  an  inftant. — 
An  Agi  .lian  law  fhall  be  palled,  and   rigidly  ob! 

lining   abfolutely  every  member  of  the  community,' 
g  move  than   five  thoufand   acres  of  land, 
•  not  only  within  the  precin&s  of  the  community,  but  any- 
where elfe.     No  member  of  the  community,  unlcfs  he 
s  into  the  world  deformed,  or  too  weak  to  under- 
go the  manly  labours,  ihall  be  fullered  to  cxercife  feden- 

i.ulesj  fuch  as  taylors,  barbers,  i'hoemakcrs,  we 
uc.  &c.  Thefe  effeminate  and  vile  occupations  fliall 
be  allotted  to  women,  to  the  weak,  deformed,  and  t;> 
flaves,  Agriculture,  hunting,  and  war,  to  be  the  only 
profeffions  of  the  men  ;  to  which  may  be  added,  the  trade 
of  fmiths,  carpenters,  and  thofe  which  do  not  emafcul.;te. 

But  33  there   is   reafon   to  apprehend,  that   a  n 
merely  of  warriors,  hunters,  ,   may  pe- 

comeextr*  rocious  in  their  manners,  fome  method 

lhould  be  ,    of  foftening,   or   counteracting    this 

eonlequcntial  ferocity  :  I  know  of  none  equally  efficaci- 
ous   with  a  general  cultivation  and  ftudy  of  nnfhc  arid. 

F  poetry  » 


(     So     ) 

poetry  ;  on  which  principle,  I  would  propofe,  that  muiic 
••  d  poetry  mould  be  the  gicat  regimen  of  the  two  molt 
important  articles  of  government,  religion  and  war  ;  all 
other  good  qualities  might  follow  of  eourfe  :  for  without 
re'igion,  no  warlike  community  can  exift  •,  and  with  re- 
ligion, if  it  is  pure  and  unfophifticated,  all  immoralities 
are  incompatible.  Mufic  and  poetry,  therefore,  which 
ought  to  be  infeparably  blended,  are  the  grand  pivots  of 
a  real,  brave,  active,  warlike  and  virtuous  fociety.  This 
doctrine-  I  am  confeious  may  fhock  quakers,  puritans, 
and  rigid  fectarifts  of  every  kind  ;  but  I  do  not  fpeak  to 
quakers,  puritans,  and  rigid  feclarifts.  Attjie  firtl,  and 
from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  I  deleft  and  defpife  them. 
I  fpeak  to  men  and  folcliers,  who  wifh  and  are  able  to 
afiert  and  defend  the  rights  of  humanity  ;  and  let  mo 
add,  to  vindicate  the  character  of  God  Almighty,  'and 
real  chriftianity,  which  have  been  fo  long  difhonered 
bv  feclarifts  of  every  kind  and  complexion  •,  catholics, 
church  of  England  men,  prefbyterians,  and  methodifts. 
I  could  wife,  therefore,  that  the  community  of  foldiers 
(\vh»  are  to  be  all  chiftians)  ihould  eitablifh  one  com- 
mon form  of  worfhip,  with  which  every  member  muft 
acquiefce,  at  leaft  in  attendance  on  divine  worfhip,  and^ 
the  obfervation  of  the  prefcribed  ceremonies ;  but  this 
fo  contrived  as  not  to  fhock  any  man  who  has  been  bred 
up  in  any  of  the  different  fecrs.  For  which  reafon,  let 
nil  expofitions  of  the  feripture,  and  all  dogmas,  be  for 
ever  banifhed.  Let  it  be  iufficient  that  he  acknowledges 
jthe  exiftence,  providence,  and  goodnefs  of  God  Almigh- 
ty ;  that  he  reverences  Jefus  Chriit :  but  let  the  queftion 
never  be  aflced,  whether  he  considers  Jefus  Chrift  as  only 
a  divine  perfon,  commiffioned  by  God  for  divine  pur- 
pofes,  as  the  fon  of  God,  or  as  God  himfelf.  Thcfe 
fophiftical  fubtilties  only  lead  to  a  doubt  of  the  whole  :' 
fet  it  be  fuiheient,  therefore,  that  he  believes  in  God,  in 
his  providence  and  in  the  mediation  of  Jefus  Chriit, 
whether  a  real  God,  or  only  a  divinely  infpired  mortal  ; 
for  which  reafon,  to  prevent  the  impertinence  and  ill-  • 
confequeuces  of  dogmatifing,  no  profcffional  priefts  of 

any 


!(    P    ) 

anv  fort  whatever  Shall  be  admitted  in  the  community. 
But  (till  I  am  of  opinion,  that  a  (acred  order,  or  hierar- 
chy, Should  be  eftablifhed,  and  in  the  following  manner  : 
that  this  hierarchy  arc  not  to  be  expositors,  of  the  divine 
law,  which  ought  to  be  understood  by  every  member  of 
common  capacity  ;  but  as  the  Servitors,  or  adminiftrators 
of  tlit  folemn  ceremonies  to  be  obferved  in  the  worfhip 
of  the  Supreme  Being,  of  his  Son,  or  miihonary. 

The  grand  hierophant,  pontifex  maximus,  or  fopreme 
fervitor  of  the  cerimenies  of  divine  worfhip.  is  to  be  cho- 
fen  out  of  the  "community,  and  to  be  not  under  the  age 
of  fifty  •,  the  principal  qualification  requifite  in  him,  to 
be  fanctity  of  manners,  a  reverend  afpect,  but  above  all, 
a  diftinct  and  melodious  voice.  A  body,  orrarher  cho- 
rous  of  under  priefis,  is  to  be  felected  likewife,  for  their 
integrity  of  manners,  and  (kill  in  mufic  ;  for  as  all  dog- 
mas, andofcourfe  ail  expofuions,  are  baniShed,  fuperior 
learning  or  what  is  improperly  understood  to  be  learning 
amongii  the  theologians  of  the  modern  world,  will  be  fo 
far  from  a  qualification,  that  it  will  rather  be  a  disquali- 
fication, particularly  as  the  ceremonies  arc  to  confifl  in 
poetical  hymns  of  praife  and  thankfgiving,  fet  to  rnufic  5 
fuch  for  inftance  as  Pope's  UniverfaJ  Prayer,  part  of  the 
Common  Prayer,  and  many  pieces  Selected  from  the 
Pfalms  of  David  ;  for  thefe  long  prayers  with  which  all 
the  churches  of  the  different  feels  are  infefted,  entering 
into  fuch  minute  details  with  God  Almighty,  as  if  h 
your  factor  in  a  foreign  courtry,  have  been  juftly  deemed 
by  many  wife  men,  not  only  tirefome,  but  impious  ::.i- 
pertinencies. 

Ablutions,  fuch  as  arc  pracYifed  in  the  religions  of  the 
Eaft,  feems  to  me  to  be  really  a  divine  inftitution.  T 
Eafterns  wifely  fav,  that  a  pure  foul  cannot  inhabit  a  fil- 
thy body  ;  that  a  purified  body  is  the  belt  Symbol  of  a 
clean  Spirit  ;  that  it  is  indecent  and  wicked  to  prefent 
yourfelf  before  your  Creator  in  a  dirtier  condition  than 
you  ought  to  appear  in  before  an  earthly  Superior.  Ad- 
mitting thefe  figures  to  be  hyperbolical,  the  infltitution 
certainly  is  extremely  wife,  as  it  contributes  So  eflcntial- 

iy 


(     52     ) 

ly  to  health,  and  the  agreement  of  foeiety.  Baths,  or  I 
little  fountains,  at  leaft  fuch  as  are  in  ufe  amongft  the 
I  to  be  eftablilhed  near  the  temples  of  worfliip  5 
and  every  communicant  to  wafh  his  hands,  face,  feet  and 
teeth,  before  he  enters  the  facred  abode.  The  temples 
to  be  as  magnificent  as  the  circu,mflances  of  the  foeiety 
v.  ill  admit.  A  grand  religious  concert  of  thankfgivings 
to  be  performed  every  Sunday ;  and  two  other  days 
in  the  week,  we  will  fnppofe  Tuefdays  and  Fridays, 
nut  fhorter,  and  with  lefs  pomp  ;  for  there  is  nothing 
i'o  impolitic,  as  to  make  pomp  and  ceremony  too  fre-  I 
quent — they  entirely  lofe  their  eiFetft.  The  thankfgivings 
or  hymns,  therefore  on  thefe  commmon  days,  to  be  ex-  1 
tremely  ihort,  but  fenfible  and  energetic  :  long  prayers, 
inch  a«  the  morning  fervices  of  the  church  of  England, 
with  the  addition  of  a  long  unmeaning  fermon,  hum- 
med through  the  nofe  perhaps  of  a  crop- tick  parfon,  who 
can  fcarcely  read  his  own  writing,  or  the  flill  more  in- 
fufferable  cant  of  the  puritant  preachers,  muft  be  the 
bane  of  all  religion  ;  and  I  verily  believe  there  is  fcarcely 
any  one  perfon,  if  they  had  the  honcfty  to  confefs  it, 
man,  woman,  or  child,  who  would  not  rather  fufFer  con- 
siderable inconvenience  than  go  either  to  a  churcli,  or  a 
prefbyterian  meeririg-houfe.  In  fhort  the  ceremonies  of 
tlivine  worfbip  muft  be  made  folemn,  pompous  and  ele- 
vating— but  we  will  quit  the  fubjecl:  of  religion,  and  pais 
to  the  law. 

As  an  Agrarian  law  is  to  be  eftablifhcd,  and  rigidly 
obferved,  retraining  every  member  of  the  community  to 
the  pofieilion  of  live  thoufand  acres  •,  and  as  the  children1 
of  both  fexes  are  to  inherit  an  equal  portion  (for  this  i.-,  to 
be  a  fundamental  maxim)  the  moll  fimple  code  nrav  b 
extracted,  for  civil  cafes,  r:cr,\  the  common  laws  of 
England,  or  from  thofe  of  Denmark,  which  appears  to 
be  excellent.  A  pvofeffional  lawyer  therefore  will  be  to- 
tally unneceffary  ;  indeed,  I  Ibould  as  foon  think  of  ino- 
culating my  community  for  the  plague,  as  admitting 
one  of  thefe  gentleman  to  refide  among  us  :  all  requisite 
knowledge  of  the  law  will  be  a  common  accomplilhment 

of 


(     >3     1 

of  every  gentleman.     The  Romans,  in  the  ages  oftheir 
fimplicity,  virtue  and   glory,   had  certainly    none  •,  the 
ifame  men  where  their  confuls,  pontifices,  generals,  and 
juris- Lonfuls.   With  refpeCi  to  criminal  matters,  I  \voul3 
adopt  Beccarie's  fcheme  j  its  excellencies  have  heen  de- 
monflrated  in  the  Tufcan  dominions.     When    the  pre- 
fent  Grand  Duke  acceded  to  the  ducal  throne,  he  found 
Tufcany  the  mod  abandoned  people  of  allltalv,  filled  with 
robbers  and  aflallirs.     Every  where,  for  a  feries  of  ] 
previous  to  the  government  of  this  excellent  prince,  \ 
ieen  gallows,  wheels   and  tortures  of  every    kind  ;  and 
the  robberies  and  murders  were  not  at  all  lefs  frequent. 
He  had  read  and  admired  the  Marquis  of  Becearia,  and 
determined  to  try  the  affe&s  of  his  |  Ian.     He  put  a  Hop 
to  all  capital  puniihments,  even  for  the  greatcit    crii 
and  the  confeouences  have  convinced  the  world  of    ii^ 
wholefomnefs.     The    galleys,  ilavcrv  foi   a  certain  term 
of  years,  or  for  life,  in  proportion  to  the  crime,  have  ac- 
compiiihed  what  an  army  of  hangman,  with  their  hi 
wheels  and  gibbets j  could  not.     In  fliort,  Tufca   5 
being  a  theatre  of  the  greateil  crimes,  and  villanii 
ry  ipecies,  is  become  the  fafeft  and  b?ft  ordered  St; 
Europe. 

It  is  a  known  fa«fr,  that  fine  option  d  this  •/'. in 

there  have  been  bur  two  '•r.'r.cu     i  .    ted  :  one  by  a. 

little  boy  cf  eleven  years  old  in  a  (trek) 
the  other,  not  by   a    native   Italian   fubjett,   but    bj 
trifli  Officer.     But  if  we  had  not  iple,  and  th«i 

of  the  Emprefs  Eiizabcth,  (who  adopted  the  lame  plan, 
which,  had  the  fame  good  affect)  before  ©ui  eye*,  the  in- 
culcating an  idea  in  a  military  people  that  death  is  the 
moft 'terrible  of  all  puniihments,  is  certainly  the  molt 
ahfurd  of  folecifms.  Nothing  gre.it  can  be  expected 
from  a  community  which  is  taught  to  confidei  il  ..  inch. 
On  the  contrary,  death  ought,  as  far  as  human  nature 
will  admit,  to  he  made  a  matter  of  indifference  ;  or,  if 
pollible,  (and  I  think  it  very  of  comfort. 

I  have  often  laughed  at  the  glaring  contradiction  in  the 
proceedings  in  this  article,   in  *  : 

F  z  others 


(     54     ) 

others  in  which  I  have  ferved.  I  have  feen  two  or  three 
wretches,  who  had  the  misfortune  to  be  detected  in  ma- 
rauding, or  attempting  to  defert,  taking  out  with  awful 
form,  encircled  by  a  multitude  who  had  been  guilty 
of,  pr  had  intended  to  have  committed  the  fame  crimes, 
but  happily  had  not  been  difcovered  ;  the  chaplain,  in. 
his  canonicals,  telling  them  how  dreadful  a  thing  it  was 
for  their  fouls  to  be  divorced  from  their  bodies,  and  to 
be  urged  on  to  the  tribunal  of  their  Maker,  with  thefe 
horrid  fins  on  their  heads.  A  few  hours  afterwards, 
Come  defperate  expedition  ordered  to  be  executed  by  the  I 
very  men  who  had  been  prcfent  at  the  execution,  who 
had  committed,  or  had  intended  to  commit,  the  very 
fame  horrid  crimes  ;  and  the  officer  appointed  to  com- 
mand the  expedition,  as  ufual,  harangues  the  foldiers  ; 
affures  them  that  death  is  not  a  ferious  affair  ;  that,  a-, 
all  men  mull  fooner  or  later  die,  it  is  of  little  moment 
when  it  happens.  Thus  it  may  be  laid,  we  blow  hot  and 
cold  with  the  fame  breath.  I  am  therefore  abfolutely 
and  totally  againft  capital  punilhments,  at  leaft  in  our 
military  community.  Let  the  lofs  of  liberty,  and  igno- 
miny, be  inculcated  as  the  extreme  of  all  punifhments  : 
common  culprits  therefore  are,  in  proportion  to  the  de- 
gree of  their  delinquency,  to  be  condemned  to  ilavery, 
for  a  longer  or  fhorter  term  of  years  -,  to  public  works, 
inch  as  repairing  highways,  and  public  buildings,  with 
fome  ignominious  diftinction  of  habit,  denoting  their 
condition.  As  to  tb^fe  who  have  been  guilty  of  crimes 
of  a  very  deep  dye,  inch  as  wanton  murder,  perjury,  and 
the  like,  let  them  be  mutilated,  their  ears  cut  off",  their 

:s  itamped  with  the  marks  of  infamy,  and  whipped 
out  of  the  State. 

I  pals  now  to  trade. — The  perfuafion  that  extenfive 
trade  is  the  (ource  of  riches,  ftrength,  happinefs  and 
glory,  is  perhaps  one  of  the  greater!  mi'fiakes  and  mif- 
foi  tunes  which  modern  focieties  labour  under.  Without 
doubt  certain  cities,  both  of  antiquity  and  the  prefent 
world,  from  their  peculiar  Situation  and  circumftances, 
owed  their  exiltence  entirely  to  their   commerce  ;  fucli  - 

.  as  I 


*5 


) 


as  Tyre,  Venice  and  Holland  :  but  I  cannot  conceive 
how  a  community  of  toldiers  and  agricultures, who  have 
lands  enough  to  cultivate,  not  only  for  their  own  fubfift- 
ence,  but  in  a  great  meafure  for  others,  fhould  have  oc- 
calion  for  what  is  called  great  and  extcnfive  commerce. 
I  think,  on  the  contrary  that  it  mull  emafculate  the  bo- 
dv,  narrow  the  mind,  and  in  fact  corrupt  every  true  re- 
publican and  manly  principle  •,  nay  I  think  It  mutt  de- 
stroy allfenfibility  for  real  plea  lure  and  happinefs.  Let 
any  man  of  talte  or  fenfibility  aflbciatc  only  for  a  few 
months  with  commercial  men,  orreluic  in  a  commcu  i- 
al  city,  he  will  find  their  conversation  dull,  languid,  and 
lhipid  ;  their  pleafures  confined  to  grofs  eating  and  drink- 
ing :  their  only  idea  of  mirth,  to  the  roaring  oi'  foxrte 
vile  hoarfe  finger  ;  and  of  wit,  to  the  ftovy-tclier  v(  the 
club,  or  feme  wretched  punltcr,  who  lives  on  catcher 
and  crotchets*  True  mufic,  elevating  poetry,  liberal  hii- 
tory,  and  ill  polite  literature ;  a  competent  acquaintance 
with  thele,  is  neceflary  for  thofe  who  have  any  (hare  of  the 
lure:  1  mean  thofe  who  are  immediately  entruit- 
cd  wirh  the  executive  or  judical  powers.  It  is  abfolutely 
requiiite  to  qualify  every  man  ot  a  liberal  community  for 
fecial  converfation.  But  although  I  object  to  profelhonal 
merchants  being  permitted  to  relide  in  our  government, 
ertain  that  lome  degree  of  commerce  or  barter  muft 
be  carried  on,  or  agriculture  and  hunting  Hand  Hill,  and 
of  courfc  idlenefs  and  all  its  attendant  evils  enfue. 

I  would  therefore  propofe  that  on  the  frontiers  of  the 
State,  at  lead  once  in  the  year,  a  cvrrt/yiizV  fhould  be  cfta- 
Milhed,  to  which  merchants  and  pedlars  of  all  forts  and 
nations  ihould  be  encouraged  to  rcfort.  This  fair  to  con- 
tinue three  weeks  or  a  month. 


AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  COLT  D'OEIL. 

IT  is  the  general  opinion,  that  the  coup  d"<ril  does  not 
depend  upon  ourfelves  ;  that  it  is  a  prefent  of  Na- 
ture :  that  practice  will  not  give  it  to  us  ;  in  a  word, 

that 


that  we  mud  brine;  it  into  the  world  with  us,  without 
which,  the  mod  piercing  eye;?  fee  nothing  and  we  mult 
grope  about  in  utter  darknefs.  This  is  a  miftake  :  we 
have  all  the  coup  cTop'u  in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  un- 
derstanding which  it  has  pleafed  Providence  to  give, us. 
It  is  derived  from  both  ;  but  what  is  acquired,  refines 
and  perfects  the  natural,  and  experience  infures  it  to  us. 
It  is  imanifeft  from  the  actions  and  conduct  of  Amilcar, 
that  he  had  it  to  a  great  and  fine  degree  ;  for  he  pofief-  j 
fed  all  the  qualities'  requifitc  for  it,  and  in  the  greatell 
point  of  perfection  that  perhaps  ever  any  general  carried 
them  ;  as  may  be  remarked  in  the  war  of  Eryee,  and  that 
of  the  rebels  of  Africa. 

Before  I  enter  into  the  explication  of  the  method  that 
mould  be  purfued  to  acquire  this  talent,  falfely  thought 
to  be  a  gift  of  Nature,  it  is  neceflary  to  define  it. — The 
military  coup  d'osil,  then,  is  nothing  clfe  than  the  art  of 
knowing  the  nature  and  different  fituations  of  the  coun- 
try where  we  make  and  intend  to  carry  the  war  ;  the 
advantages  and  difadvantages  of  the  camp  and  polls  that 
we  mean  to  occupy  ;  as  Hkewife  thole  which  may  be  fa- 
vourable or  difadvantageous  to  the  enemy.  By  the  po- 
rtion of  our  army,  and  the  confequences  drawn  from  itr 
we  may  not  only  form  with  preciilon  our  defigns  for  the 
prefent,  but  judge  of  thofe  we  may  afterwards  have.  It 
is  alone  by  this  knowledge  of  the  country  into  which 
we  carry  the  war,  that  a  great  Captain  can  forfee  the 
events  of  the  whole  campaign,  and,  if  it  maybe  lo  ex- 
prefied,  render  himfelf  mailer  of  them;  becaufc^v  judg- 
ing from  what  he  himfelf  has  done,  of  what  the  enemy 
mufl  neceflarily  do,  forced  as  they  are,  by  the  nature  of 
the  places,  to  regulate  their  movements  to  oppofe  his  de- 
figns, he  conduits  them  from  poft  to  poft,  from  camp  to 
camp,  to  the  very  point  he  has  popofed  to  himfelf  to 
infure  victory.  Such,  in  a  few  words,  is  the  military 
coup  d'eei/,  without  which  it  is  impofible  that  a  General 
fhould  avoid  falling  into  a  number  of  faults  of  the  great- 
eft  confequence.  In  a  word,  there  are  little  hopes  of 
victory  if  we  are  deflitute  of  what  is  called  the  roup 

iTcsii 


(     57     ) 

(Fcei!  of  war ;  and  as  the  military  feience  is  of  the  fame 
nature  with  all  others  that  require  practice  to  poflefs 
them  in  all  the  different  parts  that  compofe  them,  this 
which  I  treat  of,  is,  of  all  others,  that  which  requires  the 
greateft  practice. 

Pliilopccmen,  one  of  the  greateft  Captains  that  Greece 
produced,  and  whom  an  illuftrious  Roman  has  called 
the  laft  of  the  Grecians,  had  the  coup  d'ceil  in  an  admi- 
rable degree  ;  but  we  ought  not  to  conilder  it  as  a  gift 
of  Nature,  but  as  the  fruit  of  ftudy,  application,  and  his 
extreme  paflion  for  war.  Plutarch  informs  us  of  the 
method  he  ufed  to  enable  himfelf  to  fee  with  his  own 
eyes,  rather  than  thofe  of  other  people,  when  he  was  at 
the  fcead  of  armies.  The  paffage  deferves  to  be  quoted. 
"  He  willingly  liftened,"  lays  the  Greek  author,  "  to 
the  difcourfes,  and  read  the  treatifes  of  the  philofophers  ; 
not  all,  but  only  thofe  which  could  aid  him  in  his  purfuit 
of  virtue  ;  and  of  all  the  great  ideas  of  Homer,  he  fought 
for,  and  retained  thofe  alone  which  could  whet  his  COU* 
rage,  and  animate  him  towards  great  actions  :  and  of 
all  other  lecturers,  he  preferred  the  treatifes  of  Evange- 
ps,- called  the  Tactics,  that  is,  the  art  of  ranging  troops 
in  order  of  battle  ;  and  the  hiftorics  of  the  life  of  Alex- 
ander ;  for  he  thought  that  language  was  of  no  further 
ufe  than  its  reference  to  action,  and  that  the  only  end  of 
reading  was  to  learn  how  to  conduct  ourfelves  •,  unlefs 
we  chufe  to  read  merely  to  pafs  the  time,  or  to  furnifh, 

I  burfeives  with  the  means  of  keeping  up  idle  and  fruit- 
lels  chat. 

"  When  he  had  read  the  precepts  and  rules  of  the  tac- 
tics, he  did  not  trouble  his  head  about  feeing  the  demon- 

'  ftration  of  them  by  plans  on  paper,  but  made  the  appli- 
cation of  them  in  the  very  fcenes  of  action,  and  in  open 

I  field  ;  for,  in  his  marches,  he  accurately  obferved  the 
eminences  and  low  places,   the  breaks  and  irregularities 

I  of  the  ground,  and  all  the  forms  and  figures  which  bat- 
talions and  fquadrons  arc  obliged  to  take  in  confequencc 
of  rivulets,  ravines,  and  di :  s,  w3  id)  f<  ''  them  to 
clofe  or  extend  themfeives.    In  genera!,  it  ap]    ars,  that. 

Philopocmcn 


(     58     ) 

Philopcemen  had  a  very  ftrong  paflion  for   arms  ;  that 
he  embraced  war  as  a  profeflion  that  gave  greater  pi.v 
to  his  virtues  ;   in  a  word,  he    defpiled  all  thofe  as  idl< 
and  ufelefs  members  of  the  community,  who  did  not 
apply  themfelves  to  it." 

Thefe,  in  abridgment,  are  the  mod  excellent  precepts 
that  can  be  given  to  a  prince,  the  general  of  an  army, 
and  every  officer  who  wiihes  to  arrive  at  the  higheft  de- 
gree of  military  rank.  This  is  the  only  method  ;  and, 
as  the  tranflator  has  very  judiciouGy  obferved,  renders 
the  putting  the  precepts  into  practice,  on  occafion,  more 
eafy  than  by  ftudying  the  plans  on  paper.  Plutarch  ac- 
cufes,  and  even  feverely  cenfurcs  Philopcemen  for  having 
carried  his  paffion  for  arms  beyond  the  bounds  of  mo- 
deration. Monf.  Dacier  does  not  fail  to  chime  in  with 
him;  but,  both  the  one  and  the  other, .  without  well 
knowing  what  they  fay,  have  paffed  an  unfair  judgment 
on  this  great  captain  ;  as  if  the  fcience  of  war  was  not 
immenfe,  and  did  not  comprehend  all  others  in  its  vor- , 
tex  ;  and  as  if,  to  acquire  a  perfect  knowledge  of  it,  a 
long  and  laborious  application  was  not  neceflary.  Flu-  , 
tarch  was  no  foldier  ;  his  tranflator  lefs  fo  :  it  efcaped 
both  the  one  and  the  other,  that  Philopcemen  was  as 
learned  as  the  greatcft  part  of  the  Grecian  Generals, 
and  that  he  applied  himfelf  to  the  fludy  of  philofophy 
and  hiftory,  fo  neceffary  for  military  men.  Why,  then, 
be  offended  that  a  man  lhould  apply  and  give  himfelf 
entirely  up  to  the  ftudy  of  the  {Sciences  which  have  a  re- 
lation to  his  pvofeffion  ? — That  of  arms  is  not  only  mofl 
noble,  but  the  moll  cxtenfive  and  pi-ofound  ;  confequent- 
ly  it  demands  the  greateft  application.  What  this  great 
Captain  did  to  acquire  the  coup  d'wil,  is  extremely  ne- 
ry  and  important  for  the  command  of  armies,  ©n 
which  depend  the  glory  and  fafety  of  the  State. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  tactics,  or  the  art  of  rang- 
ing armies  the  order  of  battle,  of  encamping  and 
fightirkg  them,  is  a  r;:oft  royal  attainment.  What  could 
be  the  reafon  that  fla  inibal  ranked  Pyrrhus  king  of  the 
Epirots,  before  Seipio,  and  immediately  after  Alexander, 

although 


(    59     ) 

although  the  hitter  was  certainly  the  ableft  man  ?     It 
was,  doubtlefs,  becaufe  the  firfl:  excelled  all  mankind  in 
this  great  part  of  war,  although  Sctpio  did  not  yield  to 
him  in  this  point,  as  he   made  appear   at   the  battle  of 
Lama      Hannibal  was  lefs  practifed  in  this  branch  than 
the  two  others.    Philcpoemen  faw  that  the  Itudy  of  tac- 
Vi    ,  and   the  treatifes  of  Evangelus,  were  of  no  ufe  to 
liim,  unlefs  he  joined  to  them  the  cttip  aril,  fo  necefla- 
ry  to  the  general  of  an  army.  His  method  always  pleat- 
ed me,  and  it  is  what  I  have  ever  pradtiied  in  my  jour- 
ney •:,  and  in  the   camp ;   for  we  ought  not  to  wait  for 
the  opportunity  of  war  to  acquire  the  cotip  cfceil,  but  it 
tftay  be  learnt  and  obtained  by  the  exercifc  of  hunting. 
To  attain  this  feience,  manv  things  are  neceflary.  Se- 
vere application  to  our  profelhon   is  the    batis  ;  then  a 
certain  method  is  to  be  adopted  :   Although  that  of  this 
Grecian  Captain  is  good,  I  think  I  have  improved  upon 
it,  or  at  lealt  discovered  that  which,   the  Greek   author 
lias  omitted  to  teach  us  more  particularly.     We  are  not 
always  at  war,  nor  is  it  to  be  fuppofed  that  we  can  ren- 
der ourfelves  able  by  experience  alone,  on  which  indeed 
the  capacity  of  the  greater  part  of  military  men  in  thefe 
ages  is  founded  :  it  ferves  to  perfect  us,  but  is  fcarcely* 
of  any  ufe  unlefs  the  ftudy  of  the  principles  accompany 
it  \  becaufe  war  being  a  feience,  it  is  iir.pollible  to  make 
any  progrefs  without  beginning  with  the  Rudy  of  the 
principles.     Two  ages  of  perpetual  war  would  fcarcely 
liiffice  to  furnilh  lights  for  our  conduct :  from  the  ex- 
perience of  facts,  tliis  ought  to  be  left  to  fuuls  of  an  or- 
dinary (lamp,  and  more  compendious  method's  be  pro- 
vided tor  ereat  Captains  to  mount  to  the  fummit  of  <do- 
ry,  without  being  indebted  for  it  to  the  capacity  of  o- 
thcis,  which  is  not  always  to  be  met  with.      It  is,  then, 
ncceflary  to  ftudy  war  before  we  engage  in  it,  and  to 
apply  ourfelves  inceffantly  after  we  are  engaged  in  it.    f 
have  before  faid,  that  we  are  not  always  at  war  ;   and  I 
may  add,  that  armies  are  not  always  drawn  together  in 
a  body,  or  in  motion.     They  are  for  fix  months  at  leaft 
quiet  in  winter  quarters ;  and  fix  months  are  not  fullici- 

ent 


(     6o     ) 

ent  to  form  the  coup  d'a-il  of  war.  It  is  true,  that  a  great 
deal  more  is  to  be  learnt  in  marches,  in  forages,  and  in 
the  different  camps  and  pofts  which  armies  occupy  :  the 
ideas  become  more  clear  and  capable  to  judge  of  'and 
reflect,  on,  the  country  we  fee  \  but  this  does  not  prevent 
us  from  making  ufc  of  it  by  the  affiftance  of  good  fenfe, 
on  other  occalions  than  when  in  armies  ;  or  from  re- 
fining our  judgment  and  eye,  either  by  hunting,  or  on 
our  journeys  :— this  I  can  fneak  of  from  experience. 

Nothing  contributes  more  to  form  the  ccup  d'ceil,  than 
the  cxercifc  of  hunting  ;  for,  befides  giving  us  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  country,  and  of  the  different  fituations, 
which  are  infinite,  and  never  the  fame,  it  teaches  us  a 
thoufand  ftratagems  and  other  things  relative  to  war. 
But  the  principle  is  the  knowledge  of  the  obje£ls  that 
form  the  coup  d'eeii,  without  our  being  fenfible  of  it  j  and 
if  we  practice  it  with  this  intention,  we  may  with  the 
addition  of  a  very  few  reflections,  acquire  the  greatefl 
and  moll  important  qualification  of  a  general  of  an. 
army. 

The  great  Cyrus,  in  giving  himfelf  entirely  up  to  hunt- 
ing  in  his  younger  years,  had  the  plea  fur  e  of  it  lefs  in 
view  than  the  de'ign  of  qualifying  himfelf  for  war  and'; 
the  command  of  armies.  Xenophon,  who  wrote  his 
life,  does  not  leave  us  in  the  leaft  doubt  on  this  head. 
He  fays,  that  this  great  man,  on  his  preparing  for  war 
with  the  king  of  Armenia,  rcaibned  upon  this  expediti- 
on as  if  the  queftion  had  been  of  a  party  of  hunting  in 
a  mountainous  country.  He  explained  himfelf  thus  to 
Chryfantes,  one  of  his  general  officers,  whom  he  had 
detached  into  the  rougheit  parts,  and  the  moil  difficult 
vallies,  in  order  to  gain  the  entrances  and  iffues,  and  po 
cut  off  all  retreat  to  the  enemy.  "Imagine,"  fays  he, 
*w  that  it  is  a  chaee  we  are  engaged  in,  and  that  it  is  ai- 
ktted  to  thee  to  watch  at  the  toils,  whilft  I  beat  the 
country.  Above  ail,  remember  not  to  begin  the  chace 
before  all  the  paffages  are  occupied,  and  that  thofe  who 
are  placed  in  ambufcade  be  not  fcen,  left  they  fhould' 
frighten  the  game.    Take  care  not  to  engage  thyfelf  too 

far 


(     6i     ) 

far  in  the  woods  from  whence  ihou  mightclt  find  it  dif- 
ficult to  extricate  thyfelf:  and  command  ycur  guides, 
unlets  they  could  indeed  (horten  the  diftances,  to  conduct 
you  by  the  bed  roads,  which,  with  refpett  to  armies,  are 
always  the  fhorteft." 

Whether  or  not  Xenophon,  in  his  hi  (lory  of  Cyrus,  has 
fun  into  romance  in  order  to  give  us  an  abridgment  of 
the  military  fcience  treated  hiftorically,  is  a  matter  of  no 
great  importance,  provided  that  all  it  contains  relative  to 
this  fcience  be  jult  and  folid.  His  intention  is  to  con- 
vince us  that  hunting  leads  us  to  the  knowledge  of  many 
things  neceflary  to  be  known — that  it  is  a  becoming 
amufement,  and  extremely  necelTary  to  thofe  who  are 
either  born  to  command  or  to  obey  ;  becaufe  he  enures 
us  to  bear  the  fatigue  of  war,  ftrengthens  the  conftituti- 
on,  and  forms  the  coup  d'ai/ ;  for  an  exact  knowledge 
of  a  certain  extent  of  country,  facilitates  that  ofotliers, 
if  he  but  fees  it  in  the  (lighten:  manner.  It  is  impoflible, 
although  they  are  widely  different,  that  there  mould  not 
be  fome  conformity  betwixt  them  ;  and  the  perfect  know- 
ledge of  one  (fays  Machiavcl  is  his  political  difcourfes) 
leads  to  that  of  another.  On  the  contrary,  thofe  who  are 
not  trained  in  this  practice,  have  the  greateft  difficulty  to 
Require  it  ;  whiHl  the  others,  by  a  fmgle  glance  of  the 
$ye,  can  afcertain  the  c  plain,  die  height  of  a 

mountain,  the  depth,  breadth,  and  termination  of  a  val- 
ley and  all  the  circumitances  of  the  nature  of  the  differ- 
ent grounds,  to  which  they  are  accuftomed  by  habit  and 
experience,  I  ()u  not  believe  that  any  other  author, 
than  this  I  have  quoted,  has  treated  of  this  matter. 
The  remainder  is  excellent ;  I  ihall  beg  leave  to  tran- 
scribe it. 

"  Nothing  is  more  true,"  continues  he,  «  than  what  I 
here  advance,  iJ  \\  may  give  credit  to  Titus  Livius,  and. 
the  example  he  preli  pts  to  our  eyes  in  the  perfon  o£ 
Publius  JDeciuflj  who  was -Tribune  in  the  Roman  army, 
led  Jay.  tb  Conful  Cornelius,  againft  the  Sam- 
nites.  It  happened  that  this  General  fullered  himfelf  to 
be  pufhed  into  a  valley,  where  the  enemy  might  have 
G  pent 


(       «       ) 

pent  him  up.  In  this  extremity,  Decius  fays  to  the 
Conful,  "  Don't  you  perceive  yonder  eminence,  which 
commands  the  enemy  ?  This  is  the  poll  that  alone  can 
extricate  us,  if  we  do  not  lofe  a  (ingle  moment  in  ma- 
king ourfelves  mailer  of  it,  as  the  Samnities  have  been 
lo  blind  as  to  abandon  it."  But  before  Decius  addreffed 
himfelf  in  this  manner  to  the  Conful,  he  had  difcovered 
through  the  wood,  a  hill  which  commanded  the  camp  of 
the  enemy ;  that  it  was  fteep,  and  of  a  pretty  difficult 
accefs  for  heavy  aimed  troops,  but  practicable  enough  to 
the  light  infantry.    That  the  Conful  ordered  the  Tribune 

ike  pofleflion  of  it  with  three  thoufand  men,  that  he 
had  consigned  to  him  ;  which  having  happily  executed, 
the  whole  army  retreated  in  order  to  put  them felves  in  a 
place  of  fafety.  That  he  ordered  fome  few  of  his  people 
to  follow,  whilft  there  was  yet  fome  remains  of  day-light, 
in  order  to  difcover  the  pafies  guarded  by  the  enemy,  and 
thefe  by  which  a  retreat  might  be  made  ;  and  he  wont  to 
reconoitre,  difguifed  in  the  habit  of  a  common  foldier, 
tnat  the  Samuites  might  not  perceive  that  it  was  a  general 
efheer  who  was  on  the  fcout." 

"  If  we  refle£t,"  continues  Machiavel,  "  upon  what 
Titus  Livius  here    fays,  we  {hall   fee  how  neceliary  it  is 

.  good  General  to  be  able  to  judge  of  the  nature  of  a 
country;  for  if  Decius  had  not  poneiVed  this  talent,  he 
would  not  have  known  how  advantageous  the  pofieffion 
of  this  hill  mull  have  been  to  the  Romans  ;  and  he 
would  have  been  incapable  of  difcovering  at  a  diftance, 
v  hether  it  was  of  eafy  or  difficult  accefs.  When,  after- 
v.  ards,  he  had  made  himfelf  mailer  of  it,  and  when  the 
point  was  to  rejoin  the  Conful,  he  would  not  have  been 
able  at  a  diitance,  to  difcover  which  pofts  were  guarded 
by  the  enemy,  and  thofe  by  which  a  retreat  was  practi- 
cable. Decius,  therefore,  mult  certainly  have  been  very 
intelligent  in  thefe  fort  of  matters  ;  for  otherwife  he  could 
not  have  faved  the  Roman  army  by  poffeffing  himfelf  of 
this  hill,  and  afterwards  extricated  himfelf  from  the  ene- 
j)i .  |  who  had  lV.rrouuded  him." 

There 


(     <3     ) 

There  are  very  few  military  men  who  arc  capable  of 
drawing,  from  an  hiftorieal  fa£t,  inch  obfcrvations  as 
thefe  I  have  cited  from  MachiaveJ  :  the  nxoft  conium- 
mate  matter  in  the  profefhon  could  do  no  more.  I  arn. 
•  not  at  all  furprifed  at  it  ;  a  profound  and  well  digclted 
Itudy  of  hiitory  ncceilarily  leads  us  to  the  knowledge  q£ 
an  infinity  of  things,  which  enable  us  to  judce  foundly 
and  f o lull y  of  a!!.  The  ftudy  of  politics  of  which  bilia- 
ry is  the  bafis,  is  a  powerful  means  of  perfecting  cur  u;:- 
derftanding  and  judgment. 

The  political  and  military  difcourfes  of  this  author,  on 
the  Decades  of  Livy,  are  an  immortal  work.  I  think 
them  worthy  the  curiofity  of  all  military  men — ofbeing 
attentively  read  and  well  digefted.  His  life  of  Caftruo 
'  ciom,  one  of  the  greateft  Captains  of  his  age,  though 
'  not  very  much  known,  is  not  Id's  admirable.  It  is  eve- 
ry were  ornamented  with  curious  and  very  inftruclive 
facts  ;  and  filled  with  military  reflections  and  obfervati- 
ons  which  few  people  arc  capable  of  making.  Sohap- 
py  a  turn  had  this  man  for  the  profeffion  of  arms,  (  ex- 
cepting his  hook  on  the  article  of  war,  which  does  not 
do  him  a  great  ileal  of  honour,  although  U  is  piH  ' 
from  Yegetius)  he  is  admirable  in  all.  He  lived  at  a 
time  when  Italy  was  fo  agitated  with  trouble,  intcflinc 
and  foreign  wars,  that  we  muftnot  be  furprifed  if  a  mai 
ol  fenfe  and  judgment,  and  learned  be. ides,  was  equal  t> 
fo  noble  a  performance  ;  becaufe  as  he  was  on  the  fcens 
ol  action,  he  had  the  means  of  obtaining  the  molt  excel- 
lent materials,  and  of  converting  with  odicers  who  had 
ferved  in  thefe  wars. 


A   PICTURE  OF  THE  COUNTESS  OF 

THE  Countefs  has,  what  we  fee  feldom  united  in 
the  fame  woman,  vivacity  and  tendernefs,  dignity 
ol  perfon  and  feminine  foftnefs.  She  is  tall,  and  exqui- 
fitely  fhaped.  She  is  of  an  amiable,  and  commanding  a£- 
pect.     Her  eyes  are  of  the  languishing  Englifli  blue,  but 

of 


(     $4     ) 

of  the  Grecian  largcnefs  and  contour.  Her  forehea3  is 
of  a  poliih  and  formation  not  to  be  matched.  Her  lips 
are  full  and  ripe,  from  which  ifliies  a  breath  which 
would  create  i1.  age  and   coldnefs.     Her  neck  is 

of fuch  a  colour  and  (Vmmetry  as  to  make  us  curfe  invidi- 
ous cuftom  for  preventing  us  gazing  on  the  whole  of  fo 
amiable  a  piece  of  workmanfhip.  Her  fkin  is  of  a  fmooth- 
neis  that  the  flighted  contact  of  it  thrills  through  every 
pore,  and  beats  alarm  to  a  thoufand  wilhes.  Her  perfon 
is  rather  ample  ;  but  we  could  not  confent  to  its  dimi- 
nution, left  fbme  grace  or  beauty  mould  be  lojt. 

No  man  has  feen  her  laugh  ;  but  ihe  fmiles  frequently. 
Her  fmiles  feem  rather  to  be  the  refult  of  an  inclination" 
to  make  thofe  about  her  cheerful  and  happy,  than  of 
any  inherent  gaiety  of  difpofition  in  herfelf.  She  has,  at 
times,  a  dam  of  melancholy  in  her  countenance,  which  is 
more  becoming  than  her  fmiles.  Thefe  lhort  fymptoms 
of  melancholy  I  lhould  attribute  to  her  vacancy  of  heart, 
to  her  want  of  fome  one  object  upon  which  {lie  may  fix 
her**  affections  ;  a  necellity  which  Nature  has  irnpofed 
upon  Woman  for  a  wife  purpofe — the  perpetuation  of 
the  human  race. 

She  has  faults  but  her  faults  feem  to  be  acquired — 
her  virtues  a  native  inheritance.  She  is  fo  general,  that 
it  almoft  amounts  to  coquetry.  She  makes  too  little  di-  " 
ftinttion  betwixt  the  man  of  merit  and  fenfe,  and  the 
foolifh  and  undeferving.  She  can  cruelly  fuffer  the  fin- 
cere  re'foectful  lover  to  languid  without  a  glimmer  of 
hope,  and  give  encouragement  to  the  allured,  indifferent 
coxcomb,  who  would  boafl  of  favours  which  (lie  is, 
perhaps,  determined  10  confer  on  no  man.  She  has 
the  appearance  of  being  fo  fanned  with  thefe  reptiles, 
that  you  would  fufpec!:  her  underltanuin;:,  did  not  every 
fentence  which  Jhe  utters  correct  this  mrftake.  She  may 
be  aceuied  in  this,  of  ingratitude  towards  her  benefac- 
trels,  Nature,  who  bellowed  on  her  fuch  uncommon  ta- 
lents, not  to  be  hebetated  by  the  galimatias  of  fools,  but, 
by  a  proper  application  of  her  time,  to  be  perfected  into 
mental    endowments    proportionable    to    her    pexfonal 

charms. 


(     °S     ) 

charms.  She  atls  wifely  in  being  cautious  of  a  fecond 
marriage,  as  the  great  fortune  which  llie  is  pofTefTed  of, 
mud  render  it  difficult  for  her  to  diftinguifh  who  court* 
her  riches,who  herielf.  But  the  man  who  fhall  be  hap- 
py enough  to  obtain  her,  will  clo  well  to  hurry  his  prize 
to  feme  retrer.t  from  the  great  world,  as  the  facility 
which  I  complain  of  might  create  him  much  uneafinefs; 
for  it  is  an  eternal  truth,  that  great  love,  and  fonic  de- 
gree of  jcaloufy,  are  infepsrable.  There  thou  mighteft, 
O  envied  mortal !  enjoy  perpetual  happinefs  ;  if  candour, 
franknefs,  good  nature,  onderftanding  aud  beauty  could 
make  thee  happy. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  A  CONVERSATION,  CHIEFLY  RELATIVE 
TO  THJJ  ARMT. 

SOME  time  ago  I  made  one  of  a  company  of  officers, 
whole  conversion  was  not  confined,  as  is  too  much 
the  cultom  of  gentlemen  of  our  profeflion,  to  buckles,  but- 
tons,  gartersy  grenadier-caps^  or  what  is  little  better, 
figure  that  J'uch  or  fucb  a  regiment  made  in  their  puerile 
reviews  for  the  amuj'ement  oj  royil  majlers  and  tnijjlr,  gr. 
and  final!,  in  Hyde  Park,  or  en  Wimbletott  Common  ,■  our' 
difcourfe  iell  upon  the  hiftory  of  England,  and  the  rc- 
fpe£Hve  merits  of -the  different  hiftorians. 
"  A  young  fubaltern,  who  feetned  to  have  great  fire  and 
fentiment,  and  with  more  reading  than  young  fubaltern ; 
are  generally  mailers  of,  was  extremely  bitter'  on  Mr. 
Hume  :  he  loaded  him  with  a  thoufand  opprobriums  ; 
he  ftiledhim  a  fophilt,  ajefuit,  a  theiltical  champion  o£ 
defpotifm,  who  had  dethroned  the  God  of  Heaven,  and 
deified  the  fceptered  moniters  of  the  earth.  The  young 
man  was  taken  up  by  a  grey-headed  field-officer,  who 
was  io  warm  a  partisan  of  Mr.  Hume's  that  he  leaned 
riot  only  towards  abfolute  (or  in  his  favourite  author's 
fcrms)  pure  unmixed  monarchy,  but  vifibly  towards  jacc- 
bitifm.  He  fpoke  of  Charles  the  Firft  with  an  idola- 
trous reverence,  and  of  ail  his  opponents  with  the  greateft 
O  2  horror 


(     65     ) 

horror  and  indignation  :  this  led  him  to  a  great  deal  of 
abufe  on  Mrs.  M'Cawley  •,  he  lamented  that  a  eompofi- 
tion  cf  this  nature  was  differed  to  be  pubhihed,  which 
mult  inftji  the  mod  damnable  republican  principles  into 
the  minds  of  our  youth  ;  that  it  already  had  diminilhed 
that  refpect  to  royalty  {o  neceflary  to  be  kept  up  :  and 
that  the  young  gentleman  who  fpoke  hit  had  furnifhed 
us  with  an  inllance,  that  the  army  had  not  efcaped  the 
contagion — a  molt  alarming  confideration  !  as  their  dii- 
relpert  to  crowned  heads  was  not  manifelted  alone  by 
opinions  injurious  to  thermal  martyr,  but  that  feveral 
of  them  had  frequently  in  their  converfations  declared 
their  difapprobation  of  fo'ine  part  of  the  nrefent  reign  ; 
that  fuch  fentiments,  and  fuch  language,  were  not  only 
repugnant  to  the  fpirit  of  our  military  laws,  but  indecent 
and  ungrateful  in  thole  who  eat  his  Majejiy's  bread. — ■ 
This  he  uttered  with  l'o  much  emphaiis,  that  the  greatelt 
part  of  the  company  was  terrified  into  filence  ;  and  the 
young  fubaltern  be g  m  to  think  he  had  been  guilty  in 
fome  meafure  of  treafon,  and,  I  believe,  would  have 
prevaricated  hunk  If  into  other  fentiments  than  thofe  he 
had  profefTed,  had  I  not  taken  up  his  caufe,  juftified  all. 
he  had  advanced,  and  encouraged  him  to  folter  the  noble 
principles  he  had  imbibed.  I  demanded  of  our  veteran 
to  explain  his  meaning  in  laving  that  ice  eat  his  Alajejlys 
[read ;  whence  had  his  Majcltv  drawn  funds  to  feed  fo 
many  mouths  ?  Were  coffers  of  gold  tranfported  from 
his  perfonal  eftates  in  Germany  ?  or,  had  he  difcovered 
in  his  gardes  at  Kew,  treafures  fulheiem:  for  fuch  prodi- 
gious  munificence  ?  Were  the  Officers  of  the  army  for- 
lorn and  ftarving  in  tlie  ftreets,  without  patrimony,  re- 
lations andfrier.ds;  cut  off,  by  their  country,  from  all 
means  of  funporting  themfelves  ;  in  a  word,  precluded 
from  all  poflibilities,  prefented  to  other  members  of  fo- 
ciety,  of  procuring  a  livelihood  ?  Had  his  Majefty  found 
the  whole  body  of  us  in  this  wretched,  defperate  fitua- 
ti  iii  and  ut  of  the  valt  benevolence  of  his  foul,  and  at 
.  i  dividual ^expencc,  without  the  leaft  incum- 
brance to  the -nation,  redeemed  us  from  hunger  and  nak-  - 

ednefs,, 


(     ^7     ) 

ednefs,  fed  us  comfortably,  clothed  us  in  fmart  red  coats, 
put  fwords  by  our  fides,  and  erected  us  into  the  condition 
of  gentlemen  ?  I  fiid,if  thefe  things  could  be  proved,  but 
on  no  other  terms,  I  would  agree  with  the  gentleman  who 
fpoke  lair,  that  we  really  did  eat  the  kings  bread,  and  that 
we  were  perhaps  in  duty  bound  to  approve  all  his  mea- 
fures,  and  allthofeof  his  minifters, whether  right  or  wrong, 
glorious  or  inglorious,  falutary  or  pernicious. — Buton  the 
ether  hand,  if  we  conlider  ourfelves,  as  we  really  were, 
only  as  a  clafs  of  one  great  free  people,  fegregatcd  from 
the  reft  into  tin's  diilinct  clafs,  and  fubjected  to  particu- 
lar laws  neeeffary  for  the  maintenance  of  military  order 
and  discipline,  without  which  we  could  not  anfwer  the 
ends  of  our  inftitution,  that  is,  the  immediate  defence  of 
our  mother  country  againjl  foreign  invaders,  and  the  pre- 
fervation  of  our  colonies  and  external  pojjejjicns,  the  great 
bafis  and fupport  of  our  commerce,  wealth,  and  marine^ 
confequcnth  our  national  importance  and  independence  :  I 
faid  the  King  might  be  confidered,  partly  in  the  fame 
predic&mcnt  with  the  officers  of  the  army,  or  the  fleet, 
viz.  a  great  fervant  of  the  community,  or  tnafs  of  the  peo- 
p.'c,  ordained  and fubfifled for  the  public fervice ;  with  this 
difference,  that  each  individual  of  the  army,  or  fleet, 
contributed  as  a  citizen,  and  one  of  the  people,  to  his 
fubhllence,  as  a  foldier,  or  fervant  of  the  great  aggre- 
gate, of  which  lie  himfelf,  in  another  fenfe,  formed  a 
put  ;  whereas  the  king  was  fimply  a  receiver  ;  in  no 
refpeel  a  contributor  ;  fo  that  it  might  in  fact,  be  faid 
with  more  propriety,  tiiat  the  king  eat  the  officers  of  the 
army's  bread,  than  that  the  officers  of  the  army  eat  the 
king's.  I  confeffed  that  his  Majeftyr  as  one  branch  of 
the  legiflature,  and  executive  magiftrate,  was  entitled  to. 
a  very  high  degree  of  reverence  from  foldiers  as  well  as 
other  citizens,  as  long  as  he  fulfilled  the  duties  of  his 
Ration  *,  but  that  ftill  a  higher  degree  of  reverence  and 
attachment  was  due  to  the  freedom,  laws,  profperity  and 
glory  of  our  country,  than  perfonally  to  the  fir  ft  magif- 
trate, let  him  fill  his  office  ever  fo  worthily.  When  it 
was  remembred,  I  added,  that  the  prefent  reigning  fa- 
mily 


C     63     ) 

mily  had  been  taken  from  a  German  electorate,  not  the 
moit  considerable,  exalted  to  the  head  of  a  mighty  em- 
pire, endowed  with  adequate  revenues,  and  inverted 
witn  the  godlike  powers  of  executing  juftice,  but  foften- 
ing  its  rigours,  of  dealing  out  mercy,  but  retrained  from 
evil ;  I  laid,  when  thefe  things  were  remembred,  lhould 
his  prefent  majefty,  or  any  of  his  fucceflbrs,  pervert  the 
power  granted  bv  the  gcuerofity  and  confidence  of  the 
people,  to  the  prejudice  or  difhonour  of  the  people,  the 
officers  of  the  army,  no  more  than  any  other  clafs  of 
citizens,  could  not  be  taxed  with  ingratitude,  or  inde- 
cency, in  cenfuring  their  prince,  but  the  prince  in  fur- 
nifhing  matter  of  cenfure. — The  old  field-officer  began 
to  foften  :  he  confeffed  that  his  expreffion  with  refpect 
to  the  officer's  eating  his  Majefty's  bread  was  improper  ; 
but  ftill  infilled,  that  the  army  ought  to  be  more  referv- 
ed  in  their  cenfure  than  any  other  order  of  men,  as  they 
feemed  to  be  held  in  higher  efteem  by  the  prefent  Court 
than  any  other  order.  In  this  again  I  totally  differed 
from  the  old  gentleman.  1  afferted  it  was  the  reverfe  : 
that  the  army  had  been  treated  through  the  whole  pre- 
fent reign,  both  individually  and  collectively,  with  more 
contempt  and  ingratitude  than  in  any  reign  of  any  age 
or  any  country  •,  that  the  ill  ufage  of  the  army  had  not 
been  confined  to  the  living,  it  had  extended  to  the  dead. 
To  begin  with  Mr.  Wolfe,  to  whole  valour  and  conduct 
we  owed  the  acquifition  of  a  mighty  empire,  how  irre- 
verently had  his  allies  been  treated  by  government !  The 
nation  had  indeed  gratefully  and  generoully  voted  a  mo- 
nument to  their  hero  j  the  nation  had  paid  the  money, 
but  unfortunately  his  majefty's  minifters  were  the  truf- 
tees  :  to  this  day  therefore  we  fee  no  monument  erected  ; 
the  money  raifed  on  the  people  for  this  purpofe,  having 
probably  been  converted  to  the  ufe  of  fome  living  wor- 
thies, not  very  far  diftant  from  Weftminfter  Abby. 
But  they  were  not  fatisfied  with  depriving  the  hero  of 
thefe  trophies  ;  they  had  piqued  themfelves  in  adding 
every  infult  to  his  memory.  The  man  who  had  ferved, 
or  rather  diflerved,  under  him  j  who  had  fhewn  activity 

only 


(  <*  ) 

only  in  embarraffing  his  counfcls,  impeding  his  mea- 
sures, and  labouring  to  defeat  his  purpofes  ;  who  had 
drained  his  hardbound  wit  to  throw  a  ridicule  on  his 
conduct  ;  who,  whenever  he  could  find  an  audience  paf- 
five  and  bale  enough  to  his  mind,  had. poured  fort) 
rents  cf  abufe,  and  endeavoured  to  raifc  a  fpirit  of  fac- 
tion and  mutiny  in  others,  equal  to  that  ftirred  up  in  his 
.  own  breaft,  by  the  daemon  of  envy  ;  who,  after  his  glo- 
I  rious  death,  had  not  paid  the  flighted  tribute  of  refpedfc 
I  to  his  memory,  or  of  ceremony  to  his  remains  ;  who 
had  attempted  to  filch  bis  laurels  off  the  fie  If,  and  put 
them  in  his  pocket  :  This  man,  I  £aid,  had  been  loaded 
with  the  higheft  preferments,  and  the  greateft  honours, 
•  (if  any  thing  which  flows  from  fuch  a  court  can  be 
deemed  honours)  which  our  court  has  to  bellow. — Let 
us  next  obferve  how  the  brave  Band,  who  conquered 
under  him,  and  indeed  the  whole  American  army,  had 
been  recompensed,  officers  and  foldiers.  The  fir  it  inllance 
of  gratitude  exhibited  by  our  government,  was  the  de- 
priving them  of  their  provifion,  without  which  it  is  al- 
moit  impolhble  that  an  American  foJdier  Ihould  fubfift : 
the  vail  confumption  of  nece/Taries  occafioned  by  the 
nature  of  that  hard  fervice,  from  clearing  communica- 
tion^, building  bridges  and  forts,  but  above  all  from 
traniporting  provisions,  ammunition  and  artillery  up  the 
rivers,  and  the  enhanced  price  of  thefe  necefl'aries,  as 
they  all  come  from  England,  by  the  freight  and  profit 
of  the  merchants,  put  an  American  foldier,  although 
allowed  provifion,  in  a  worfe  conditi 
an  without  it  ;  particularly  when  we  confider,  that  an 
I  European  foldier   .  >r  all  king'.;  or  public  works, 

which  in    America  was  not   the  cafe.      1.  ruelty 

of  this   meafure   was  not  all :   it    was  fla 
*a  br<  ach  of  compact,  at  Icaft  with  ufpccl  to  a  j 
I  of  the  army — the  volunteer  drafts  from  England,  the 
•whole  body  cf  royal  Americans,  and  every  man  i\ 
cd  in  America,  were  engaged  on  abfolute  expreis  o 
tions  of  being  allowed  provifion.  Travelling  from  North 
-America  to  the  Weft  Indies,  the  tendernefs  of  the  pro- 
le nt 


(     7o     ) 

fent  reign  difplayed  towards  the  foldiery  is  fliil  more 
ftriking  ;  the  diitribution  of  the  plunder  of  the  Havan- 
nah  is  lb  notorious  that  it  would  be  impertinent  to  men- 
tion it ;  but  the  motives  of  this  distribution  are  fo  curi- 
ous, that  it  is  difficult  not  frequently  to  recur  to  them. 
They  were  thefe  :  The  Earl  of  Bute  and  his  great  ad- 
junct lived  in  perpetual  apprehenfions  of  the  late  Duke 
of  Cumberland;  the  firmnefs  of  the  man,  his  known 
(courage,  his  good  fenfe,  but  above  all  his  principles  and 
attachment  to  the  welfare  and  honour  of  his  country, 
rendered  him  an  object  of  terror  to  thole  who  were  de- 
termined to  facrihee  every  thing  to  the  maintenance  of 
their  own  power  and  authority — after  having  revolved 
in  their  minds  what  was  the  moft  probable  method  of 
foftening  this  bar  to  their  fchemes  into  fome  complacen- 
cy, it  was  concluded,  that  to  win  this  favourite,  was  the 
plan  of  the  moft  promifing  afpect. 

The  expedition  againit  the  Havannah  was  at  this  time 
refclved  upon  ;  the  troops  and  fleet  were  in  readinefs  ; 
my  lord  of  Albemarle  was  on  this  principle  appointed  to 
the  command,  and  on  this  principle  fo  enormoully  en- 
riched at  the  expence  of  the  labour,  health  and  blood  of 
the  molt  noble  deferving  army  that  this,  or  perhaps  any 
other  country,  has  been  ever  ferved  by.  His  lordfhjp 
and  his  family  were  indeed  aggrandized  ;  but  the  great 
views  of  the  diftributers  were  happily  difappointed.  The 
Duke  of  Cumberland  perfifted  in  his  integrity,  and  con- 
tinued an  honeft  zealous  citizen  until  the  fatal  moment 
when  he  was  matched  away  from  his  country.  I  think, 
without  rant  or  exaggeration,  it  may  be  termed  a  fatal 
moment  : — lie  was  indifputably  a  valuable  true  Engliih- 
m;m  :  he  had,  in  the  early  parts  of  his  life,  through  an 
over  zeal  for  reforn  irmy  from  the  miferable  con- 

dition in  winch  he  found  them,  projected  fchemes  not 
Unexceptionable •,  but  this  mult  be  afcribed  to  a  defer- 
ence which  he  paid  to  the  opinion  of  men  infinitely  in- 
ferior to  himfelf,  both  in  virtue  and  talents:  but  in  his 
an  good  qualities  demonftrated 
themklvcs  fy  fuiiy,   that  we  may  fairly  conclude,  had 

fate 


(     P     ) 

fate  fpared  him,  he  might  at  lead  have  checked  the  tor- 
rent of  thofe  bitter  waters  broke  in  upon  us  from  their 
aecurfed  fource  of  Carleton-Houfe. — But  before  I  take 
leave  of  America,  I  cannot  help  observing  the  extraor- 
dinary attention  paid  to  the  officers'  and  foldiers  in  the 
.allotment  of  lands;  it  would  be  enulefs  to  enter  into 
the  detail  of  the  royal  or  miniftcrial  (for  thefe  terms  have 
been  of  late  fo  confounded  together  that  it  ia  puzzling 
to  diftinguifh  them)  bounty  in  this  particular  -,  I  {hall 
inflance  one  or  two  which  may  fufiice  for  the  whole. 

It  had  long  been  fuppofed  that  the  ifland  of  St.  John's 
in  the  gulph  of  St.  Lawrence,  would  have  been  a  pro- 
fitable poffeffion.  A  (ei  of  officers  of  the  land  and  fea 
i'ervice,  laid  out  a  plan  for  the  fettlcment  of  it.  They 
prefented  it  to  Govornment,  and  petitioned  a  grant  of 
it.  The  grant  was  promifed.  The  olhcers  dangled  from 
day  to  day  for  the  fulfilling  of  this  promife.  They  were 
muffled  from  the  Admirality  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  from 
the  Board  of  Trade  to  the  Admirality,  from  an  Egmont  to 
an  Hilliborough,  from  an  Hillfborough  to  an  Egmont, 
for  the  fpace,  1  believe,  of  three  years.     Egmont  accufes 

rj Hilliborough  as  the  caufe  of  this   delay;  HiiHborough 

;  accufes  Egmont  ;  hia  Majefty  {lands  neuter  betwixt  thcie 
two  righteous  perfonages. 

The  Officers  danced  attendance  until  they  found  them- 
felves  on  the  threihold  of  a  jail  ;  but  at  length  it  is  de- 
cided :  The  officers  who  where  the  original  petitioners, 
got  half  a  lot.     Mr.  Touchit,  or  Touchat  (for  I  have  not 

I  the   honour  of  knowing   how  he   fpells  his  name)  fome 
court  furgeons,  and  every  kind  of   court  retainer,  who 

;  thinks  it  worth  his  while  to  hint  that  he  has  no  objection 

to  an  American  poffeffion,  is   gratified  with  a  whole  lot. 

Another   fociety  of  officers  had   folicitcd    a  grant  of 

lands  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence,   which  they  undertook 

,  to  fettle  ;  this  was  flatly  refufed. 

Another  focictv  folicited  fir  lands  on  the  lower  parts 
01  the  Illinois,  Ohio,  or  on  die  IdilhiTippi  :  that  was  like- 
rejected  ;  but    from  what   motives  it  is   impotable 
to  define,  unlefs  they  fuppofe  that  foldiers,  uivefted  with 

a  little, 


(     72     ) 

a  little  knded  property,  would  not  be  fo  readily  induced 
to  act  as  the  inftruments  of  the  oppreflion  of  their  fel- 
low fubje&s,  as  thofe  whofe  views  are  folely  turned,  if 
not'redueedjto  farther  promotion  ;  and  if  reduced,  to  full 
pay.  And  here  I  am  afraid  the  uuderftaridirigs  of  our 
profeffion  mult  appear  dreadfully  low,  when  they  can  be 
dupes  to  the  hopes  of  promotion. 

Let  them  reflect  for  a  moment  on  the  mode  of  bellow- 
ing, fince  the  peace,  the  only  commillions  which  by  mi- 
litary men  can  be  eiteemed  objects  ;  I  mean  regiments, 
and  lieutenant  colonelcies  ;  and  I  will  venture  to  affirm, 
that  not  four  of  each  have  been  be  flowed  on  men  who, 
in  the  opinion  of  thofe  who  have  ferved  with  them,  have 
the  femblance  of  a  title.  That  the  army  on  the  Englifh 
and  on  the  Irilh  eflablifhment,  and  the  ileet  on  the  home 
and  foreign  ftations,  have  been  confidered  by  our  court 
as  the  precious  means  of  corrupting  us  from  our  duty 
as  citizens  ;  that  a  plea  of  merit  in  general,  or  any  par- 
ticular action,  of  wounds,  lofs  of  health  or  limbs  by  a 
courfe  of  hard  fervices,  has  been  confidered  as  a  fmyptom 
of  lunacy.  And  I  have  heard  fay,  our  incomparable  Secre- 
tary at  War  values  himfelf  not  a  little  for  his  humanity, 
in  not  fuing  for  ftatutes  to  confine  the  wretches  who 
can  pufh  their  extravagance  to  fuch  a  height  as  to  make 
thefe  pleas.  It  will  perhaps  be  f.iid,  that  jobs  are  not  the 
growth  of  this  reign  j  that  jobs  ever  were,  and  ever 
will  be,  in  a  government  like  ours.  But  allowing  jobs  to 
have  been,  I  cannot  think  iniquity  is  to  be  juftifyed  by 
precedent  ,  and  furely  iniquitous  precedents  are  very  un- 
gracefufly  quoted  in  a  reign  which  was  announced  from 
its  commencement  to  be  that  of  virtue,  purity,  and  righte- 
oufnefs. 

As  to  the  army  that  ferved  in  Germany,  it  is  true  they 
have  not  been  fo  very  grofsly  treated  as  the  American.. 
There  were  moments  when  Lord  Granby  would  not 
cede  to  our  gracious  Secretary  at  War.  There  were 
moments  when,  as  our  ingenious  court  termed  it,  he 
was  obitinate  and  impracticable  ;  that  is,  there  were 
moments  when  he  infilled  on  fome  regard  being  paid  to 

thefc  i 


(     73     ) 

thofe  who  had  deferved  of  their  country  ;  but  thefe  mo* 
merits  unfortunately  occurred  but  too  feldom.  His  faci- 
lity and  complacence  to  the  wickednefs  of  the  Court, 
preponderated  over  his  natural  love  of  juftice.  In  friort, 
the  patronage  of  the  army  was  left  to  a  Barrington,  by 
whom  valour  fenfe  .and  integrity  muft  naturally  be  pro- 
fcribed,  as  he  mufl  fuipect  that  no  man  can  po  fiefs  them 
without  being  an  enemy  to  their  contraries,  which  are 
the  undifputed  attributes  of  his  Lordfhip. 

From  this  long  digreflion  on  the  obligations  of  the  ar- 
my to  the  prefent  Court,  on  the  extraordinary  efteem  in 
which  the  military  has  been  held  through  the  whole 
courfe  of  the  prefent  reign,  we  returned  to  our  original 
topic,  the  merit  of  the  different  hiflorians. 

I  joined  the  young  fubaitern  in  his  encomiums  on  Mrs. 
IVFCawley.  I  challenged  the  old  field-officer  to  point 
out  a  fufpicious  authority  that  fhe  had  quoted  ;  to  pro- 
duce a  fmgle  comment  which  did  not  correfpond  with 
the  facts.  I  afferted,  that  her  inferences  were  fairly  drawn 
from  her  premifes  ;  and  that  there  could  not  be  traced 
the  fhadow  of  partiality  in  the  long  feries  of  her  hiftory, 
unlefs  a  zeal  for  true  liberty,  and  the  rights  of  her  coun- 
try and  of  mankind,  may  be  termed  partiality.  I  affer- 
ted,  that  Hume  was  the  reverfe  in  all  refpects  ;  that  he 

{iroduccd  little,  and  that  very  fufpicious,  authority  ;  that 
lis  comments  did  not  agree  with  his  facts,  the  effects  not 
deducible  from  the  caufe.  Upon  the  whole,  what  I  fail 
on  thefubject  of  James's  hiftory,  and  of  the  character  of 
his  favourite  Charles,  was  fo  fatisfactory  to  the  company, 
that  they  requefled  me  to  digeft  what  I  offered,  and  to 
prefent  it  to  the  public. 


AN  EPISTLE  TO  DAVID  KU31E,  Est*. 
Sir, 

N  reading  hiftory,  nothing  has  fo  frequently  mocked 
me  as  the  difrefpectful  and  irreverent  manner  in 
which  divers  writers  have  ipoke  of  crowned  heads.  Ma- 
ny princes,  it  mufl  be  owned,  have  acted,  in  fomc  inftan- 

H  ces, 


(     74     ) 

cos,  not  altogether  as  we  could  wifh  j  but  it  is  the  duty 
of  every  honeft  man,  and  friend  to  royalty,  the  great 
fqurce  of  human  happifiefs,  to  draw  a  veil  over  their 
weaknefs  j  and  if  not  able  entirely  to  juftify  fome  parts 
of  their  conduct,  he  maybe  at  lealt,  by  the  aid  of  certain 
managed terms •,  and  decent  foft firings,  in  a  great  mcafure 
prevent  the  evil  effects  which  a  coarie,  and  I  may  fay 
barbarous  relation  of  facts  is  apt  to  have  on  weak  and 
vulgar  minds.  The  paffion,  prejudice  ami  party  heat  of 
fe\  c  ral  who  llyled  themfelves  historians,  have,  I  make  no 
doubt,  been  the  principal  caufes  of  the  numberless  mur- 
murs infurrectiens,  rebellions,  dethronements,  expulsi- 
ons, regicides,  which  have  difgraced  the  hiftory  of  man- 
kind, and  more  particularly  of  this   infatuated  country. 

On  this  principle,  Sir,  you  will  readily  believe,  that 
the  Satisfaction  I  have  received  from  your  incomparable 
Hiltory  of  the'Houfe  of  the  Stuarts,  is  of  the  higheft 
kind  :  that  I  have  peruSed  it,  and  re-perufed  it  a  thouland 
times,  and  always  with  freih  pleafure  ;  and  that  I  ar- 
dently with  the  youth  of  our  country  were  never  Suffered 
to  read  any  other  ;  a  rule  which  I  am  charmed  to  hear 
is  ebferved  by  the  moil  exalted  perfonage  In  the  kingdom, 
as  well  in  virtue  as  in  rank,  whenever  he  condefcends  to 
unbend  his  mind  from  his  fevere  Studies  and  occupations 
by  dipping  into  the  annals  of  his  predeceffors  ;  and  it  is  to 
this  rule,  perhaps  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  prodigious 
enlargment  of  his  mind,  in  fo  tender  an  age  that  all  Eu- 
rope Stands  aftonifhed  at  it. 

How  complaifant,  how  gentle,  how  guarded,  how 
humane,  how  polite  are  your  phrafes,  in  laying  before 
us  the  tranfa&ions  of  thofe  good,  though  perhaps  miS- 
guidedj  princes  !  How  calculated  are  your  comments  to 
mitigate  the  Seditious  Spirit  of  the  mad  multitude  !  Had 
you  written  an  hundred  years  ago,  I  am  purfuaded  you 
would  not  only  have  prevented  the  growth  of  thofe  horri- 
ble opinions,  (alas  !  too  prevalent)  That  kings  are  not 
on!-/  refponfible,  but  punishable  for  their  delinquences 
i  their  ptople ;  that  Charles  the  Firft  met  with 
no  harder  fate  than  he  deferved,  and  that  his  two  Ions 

ought, 


(     75     ) 

ought,  in  juftice,  to  have  made  the  fame  exit.  I  fav, 
Sir,  had  you  written  an  hundred  years  ago,  you  might 
not  only  have  prevented  the  growth  of  fuch  monitrous 
notions,  but  probably  have  checked  thofe  furious  princi- 
ples, which  ended  in  driving  from  the  throne  of  his  ancef- 
tors,  to  the  indelible  difgrace  of  thefe  nations,  a  prince 
replete  with  every  royal  virtue. 

In  ihort,  Sir,  I  am  fo  much  in  love  with  the  fcheme 
of  your  hiftory,  I  am  fo  convinced  that  no  tafk  can  be 
equally  laubable  in  a  philofopher,  an  hiitorian,  and  a 
gentleman,  as  to  endeavour  to  eradicate  from  the  minds 
of  our  youth  all  prejudices  and  preporTeihons  againft  the 
memory  of  deceafed,  and  the  character  of  living  princes  ; 
and,  by  obviating  the  cavils  and  malice  of  republican 
writers,  to  infpire  mankind  with  more  candour  in  judg- 
ing of  the  actions  and  government  of  fovcreigns,  that  I 
am  determined  to  follow  fo  bright  an  example,  and  ex- 
ert the  utmoil  of  my  zeal,  (kill,  and  abilities,  (indeed 
far  fhort  of  yours)  to  refcue  from  the  unmerited  odium 
under  which  they  lie,  two  much  injured  characters  in 
hiftory  ;  I  mean  the  Emperor  Claudius  Caefar,  and  his 
immediate  fucceflor  Nero,  whofe  foibles  and  indifcretions 
have  been  fwellcd  up  into  vices,  by  the  auflerity  and  ma- 
levolence of  Tacitus,  Suetonius,  and  others  (the  Rapins, 
Ludlows,  and  M'Cawleys  of  thofe  days)  who  wrote  un- 
der fucceeding  monarchs  of  a  different  family  ;  but  as  the 
motives  for  fuch  virulent  proceedings  are  now  ceafed,  and 
as  men's  minds  ought  to  be  a  little  cooler,  we  may  ven- 
ture to  pronounce  the  dilpofition  of  thefe  princes  (though 
I  do  not  think  they  were  faultlefs,  or  altogether  wcll-ad- 
vifed)  to  have  been  good. 

Should  the  ungenerous  and  bigots  in  party  raife  a  cla- 
mour, mould  they  exclaim  that  its  being  a  pander  to 
delpotifm,  and  an  enemy  to  the  rights  of  humanity,  the 
endeavouring  to  glofs  over  vices  and  enormities  fo  ma- 
nifeft,  as  they  pretend,  by  a  concurrence  of  facts, 
vouched  by  the  mod  authentic  records,  I  fliall  confole 
myfelf,  Sir,  with  your  approbation,  and  that  of  the  ge- 
nerous few  who  think  with  you,  and  fliall  natter  myfelf 

that 


(  It  ) 

that  the  attempt,  whatever  may  be  the  merit  of  the  exe- 
cution, will  recommend  me,  along  with  the  Smollets, 
Scotts,  Murphys,  and  Johnibns,  to  the  notice  of  a  court, 
which  feems  to  pique  itfelf  in  rewarding  the  champions 
and  apologifts,  of  unpopular  men  and  meafures,  in  pro- 
portion as  their  labours  are  unfuccefsful  with  the  narrow- 
minded  public. 

Yours,  &c. 


A  POLITICAL  ESSAY. 


ON  leaving  fchool,  I  thought  it  right  to  get  fome 
acquaintance  with  the  liiitory  of  England  ;  for  the' 
fchool  where  I  was  brought  up  was  guilty  in  common 
with  all  other  fchools,  of  the  fhameful  negleci  of  fuffering 
the  boys  to  remain  in  utter  ignorance  of  the  laws,  con- 
stitution, and  tranfattions  of  their  own  country;  fome 
knowledge  of  which  is  certainly  of  more  importance,  at 
lead  in  a  government  like  ours,  than  the  being  able  to 
fcan  the  flattering  verfifyers  of  Auguftus's  age. 

Rapin,  accidentally  was  the  firft  hiilorian  that  fell 
into  my  hands.  Notwithstanding  his  length,  I  read  him 
through  with  great  attention,  which  was  more  particu- 
i.aiy  engaged  when  I  came  to  thofe  parts  which  treat  of 
our  feveral  civil  wars  ;  but  the  great  one  of  the  year 
1640,  interested  me  more  fenfibly  than  the  antecedent. 
And  1  cannot  exprefs  how  much  I  was  amazed  in  find- 
ing the  character  of  Charles  the  Firft  fo  little  agree  with 
the  notions  I  had  conceived  of  hinfc  from  his  being  ftyled 
.1  Martyr;  from  the  folemn  obfer'vance  of  the  30th  of 
January,  in  order  to  avert  the  wrath  of  the  Almighty  for 
(hat  horrible  parricide  ;  from  the  epithets  of  good,  vir- 
tuous, pious,  blefled,  which  were  perpetually  bellowed 
on  him,  not  only  by  the  old  houfe -keeper,  the  maid-fer- 
vants,  but  by  the  mailer,  ufher,  and  all  the  clergy  who 
happened  to  difcourfe  on  this  fubje£t  in  my  hearing.  In 
the  holidays,  when  we  went  home,  my  mother,  grand- 
mother, and  all  their  female  acquaintance,  rung  the  fame 
in  my  ears.  On 


(     77     ) 

On  the  perufal  of  Rapine  I  was,  therefore,  ftrangely 
^puzzled  and  confounded  to  find  this  virtuous,  pious, 
blefled,  holy  martyr,  metamorphofed  into  an  obftinatc, 
diflembling,  perfidious  tyrant  ;  raid  that  the  men  whom 
I  had  been  taught  to  execrate  as  rebels,  traytors,  j 
cides,  fhould,  for  the  greater  part,  appear  the  champi- 
ons of  the  laws  of  their  country  and  the  rights  of  man- 
kind, fraught  with  truth,  valour,  in 
attribute  which  can  render  mortal  men  the  objects  of 
veneration. 

I  had  no  method  of  accounting  for  this,  but  by  con- 
cluding my  hiitori  in  guilty  of  the  mod  egregious  | 
alitv,  that  he  mull  have  imitated,  or  difguifed  the  facts 
to  an  enormo«s  degree,;  for  as  to  his  comment-.-,  they 
appeared  judicious,  natural  and  fair,  allowing  the   facU 
to  be  juftly  Rated.     Idefired  all  thofe  whom  1  th< 
more  knowing  and  wife  than  myielf,  to  folve  thefe  diili- 
culties.     Some  few  of  them  averred  that  Charles  was  not 
at  all  better  than  what  he  was  reprefented   by  Rapin  ; 
but   far   the   greater   number  allured    me,   that  Rapine 
a  lying  French  Prefbyterian,  partial,  unjuft,  mali- 
cious, that  no  credit  was   given  to  him  by  men  of  judg- 
ment and  knowledge,  and  that  he  was  never  fpoke   oi 
with  common  patience.by  thofe  who  have  any  generous 
fentiments.     They  advifed  me,  by  all  means,  to  go  to  the 
fountain-head  of  information  on  this  fubject,  the  ; 
Clarendon  ,■  that  there  I  fhould  fee  the  facts  related  clear- 
ly and  honeftly,  the  comments  fenii'ole  and   candid.,  the 
i.mles  .ir.A  <  fretts  congruous,  the  fpring  oi  every  action 
laid  open,  the  views  and  characters  of  the  actors  pain-, 
ted  in  their  proper  colours,  by  one  who  had  himfelf  played 
a  principal  part,  or,  at  leaft,  feen  every  thing  that  had 
palled  behind  the  feenes  ;  one,  whole  authority  was  in-^ 
conteltible  from  his  character  for  truth  and  integrity. 

I  accordingly  procured  a  Clarendon,  not  only  read 
him  with  attention,  but  ftudied  him  with  accuracy  :  and, 
behold  thercfult,  !  it  was  an  entire,  complete  difappoint- 
ment  in  every  circumftance  :  inftead  of  carrying  the 
conviclion  which  I  expected,  it  appeared  to  me,  one 
H  2  eternal 


(     73     ) 

eternal  periphrafis  fubdivided  into  aflertions  without  au- 
thority, childi  Hi  ifs  without  probable  fuppofitions,  and 
tortured  inferences  from  miftated  or  defalcated  facts, 
with  endlefs  begging  the  queftions.  The  epithets  can- 
did, fmcere,  virtuous,  pious,  were  very  liberally  beftowed 
on  him,  whofe  caufe  he  intends  to  plead  ;  and  not  a 
iingle  iriflance  of  candor,  fmcerity,  or  virtue  is  given 
through  the  whole  courfe  of  his  hiftory,  unlefs  exceflive 
bigotry  to  epifcopacy,  and  a  fpirit  of_  perfecuting  all  other 
proteftant  feels,  .is  to  be  conftrued  piety.  In  ihort,  my 
averiicn  to  Charles  was  rather  confirmed  than  transfer- 
red to  the  other  party  by  the  perufal  of  Lord  Clarendon. 
'  I  here  difcerned  very  plainly,  why  the  epifcopal  clergy 
mould  have  made  a  Saint  and  a  Martyr  of  him.  His 
exceflive  attachment  to  their  order,  and  the  great  facrifi- 
ces  he  made  to  them,  are  undoubtedly  very  fubftantial 
titles  to  canonization,  and  the  crown  of  martyrdom  •,  but 
the  zeal  and  reverence  with  which  a  multitude  of  others, 
who  are  quite  indifferent  to  modes  of  worfhip,  and  fome 
who  feem  defirous  there  mould  be  none  at  all,  frill  con- 
tinue to  fpeak  of  this  prince,  and  the  indignation  and 
horror  with  which  they  fpeak  of  his  opponents,  I  con- 
liefs  is  with  me  a  matter  of  wonder.  I  know  very  well, 
that  the  impreffions  we  receive  in  our  childhood  fink 
deep,  and  that  thefe  impreffions,  whether  we  receive  them 
from  our  nurfes,  grandmother,  or  the  parfon  of  the  pa- 
,  whether  they  concern  ghofts,  or  hobgoblins,  a  de- 
vil, or  a  faint,  a  tyrant,  or  a  martyr,  are  with  difficulty 
effaced  ;  but  that  thofe  who  have  got  rid  of  thofe  nar- 
row fupcrfiitious  prejudices,  mould  frill  retain,  in  their 
utmoft  force,  their  prepoffemons  with  refpect  to  their 
royal  mafter,  is  fomething  fupernatural.  I  have  long 
endeavoured  to  account  for  this,  and  am  apt  to  conclude, 
that  it  muft  be  afcribed  to  the  fingularity  of  his  fate. — 
A  king  tried  and  condemned  by  his  own  fubjc&s  is  cer- 
tainly a  Angular  cafe,  the  fingularity  of  his  fate  has  cre- 
ated pity,  and  pity  ever  generates  love  and  affection. — 
The  Marquis  of  Beccaria,  in  his  incomparable  treatife 
on  Crimes  and  Punifhments,  is  of  opinion,  that  a  com- 
munity 


(     70     ) 

munity  ought  to  punifli  with  death  fuch  criminals  only 
whofe  exiftence  is  abfolutely  pernicious  to  the  communi- 
ty ;  if  his  reafoning  is  juft,  a  criminal  king  is  almoit  the 
only  criminal  on  whom  death  ought  to  be  inflicted,  as 
his  exiftence  (if  not  always  abfolutely  deftructive)  is  un- 
doubtedly highly  dangerous  to  fociety.  Tarquin  was 
only  expelled  ;  Tarquin's  exiftence  was  nearly  deftruc- 
tive  to  Rome  ;  an  eternal  war  and  confpiracics  within 
the  walls,  which  brought  Rome  into  the  cxtrcmeft  peril, 
were  the  confequenccs  of  the  tyrant's  exiftence  •,  and  the 
death  of  the  tyrwntjirnp/y,  unlefs  it  hath  been  accompa- 
nied with  that  of  his  fons,  would  not  have  injured  the 
tranquillity  and  fecurity  of  Rome. 

On  this  principle,  fome  of  the  Grecian  States  had 
laws  levelled,  not  only  againft  the  lives  of  thofe  who 
fliould  erect  themfelves  into  the  tyrants  of  their  country, 
but  enjoining  the  extirpation  of  their  whole  race  ;  and 
thefe  were  wife  and  humane  laws,  becaufe  they  were  ne- 
ceflary  for  the  good  of  the  whole,  for  the  facrifice  of  a 
fingle  family  for  the  prefervation  of  millions  is  iudifputa- 
bly  humanity.  James  the  fecond  was  expelled  like  Tar- 
quin, but  he  and  his  fons  were  fufTcred  to  efcape  with 
their  lives  ;  the  confequences  of  their  being  fuffefed  to 
efcape  were  three  rebellions,  which  not  only  threatened 
immediate  deftrudtion  to  thefe  nations,  but  endangered 
the  liberties  of  Europe.  It  is  true,  thefe  rebellions  were 
defeated  in  their  immediate  purpofes,  but  the  exiftence  of 
the  Stuart  race  hath  laid,  too  certainly,  I  am  afraid,  the 
feeds  of  our  deftruction.  Their  exiftence  has  furnifhed 
the  minifters  of  the  family,  which  was  called  in  for  our 
prefervation,  with  pretexts  for  arming  the  family  of  our 
prefervers,  with  the  means  of  deftroying  us  ;  for  it  is 
impoflible  to  fuppofe  that  the  nation  could  have  been 
brought  to  acquiefce  in  mortgaging  the  national  proper- 
ty, without  any  vifible  national  purpofes,  unlefs  they 
had  imagined  that  national  debts  were  a  fecurity  againft 
the  return  of  the  dreaded  Sluarts  ,-  and  it  is  impoffible 
to  fuppofe,  that  the  people  could  have  been  fo  far 
impofed  upon,  as  to  fufr'cr    their  reprefentatives  to  vote 

themfelves 


(     So     ) 

themfelves  feptennial  from  triennial,  unlefs  they  had  I 
been  perfuaded  that  a  feptennial  parliament  formed  a 
ftronger  barrier  againft  the  return  of  the  Stuarts  than 
a  triennial  ;  and  it  is  ftill  a  greater  abfurdity  to  fuppofe, 
that  a  majority  of  landed  gentleman,  of  really  well  mean- 
ing honeft  Englishmen,  could  be  infatuated,  to  fo  great  a 
degree,  as  to  (it  down  contentedly  under  the  eftablifh- 
ment  of  a  Handing  army,  the  gradual  augmentation  of  it 
to  an  enormous  bulk,  the  interweaving  of  it  (as  it  may  be 
faid)  into  our  constitution,  had  not  the  fpeetre  of  the  Stu- 
arts return  continually  danced  before  their  eyes.  Hence, 
I  think,  without  {training,  it  may  be  inferred,  that  die 
pecuniary  influence  of  the  crown,  feptennial  parliaments 
and  a  (landing  army,  (which  unlefs  fome  great  national 
calamity  falls  out  to  draw  us  back  to  our  firft  principles, 
before  the  minds  of  our  foldiery  are  totally  debauched) 
muft  inevitably  end  in  the  destruction  of  our  liberties  ; 
and  perhaps  national  independence,  have  been  the  fruits 
of  our  mistaken  cruel  moderation,  in  fufFering  a  fingle 
individual  of  the  expelled  family  to  remain  in  exiftence. 
But  to  return  from  this  long  digreflion  to  the  queftion, 
whether  the  Singularity  of  Charles  the  Firft's  fate,  tryed 
and  condemned  by  his  own  Subjects,  is  not  one  of  tl^e 
principal  caufes  of  his  memory's  being  treated  with  fuch 
tendernefs  and  reverence.  We  will  fuppofe  a  cafe  ;  but 
firft  admitting  Beccaria's  pofition  to  be  juft,  that  a  com- 
munity ought  net  to  punifh  with  death  am;  criminal  nvhcfe 
exiflence  is  not  abf  lately  pernicious ,  or  highly  dangerous  to 
the  community  ,•  and  further,  admitting  that  a  criminal- 
king  is  the  only  criminal  nvhcfe  exijlence  can  be  pernicious 
or  highly  dangerous.  We  will  fuppofe,  then  that  there 
fhould  hereafter  be  formed  a  community,  one  of  whofe 
fundamental  laws  mould  be,  That  capital  punifhmentc 
fhould  be  confined  to  delinquent  kings  alone  ;  that  all 
otherdelinquents,  let  their crimesbe  what  they  will, fhould 
be  fent  into  exile  ;  their  eftates,  money,  and  goods  con- 
fifcated  to  the  ufe  of  the  community.  I  will  venture 
to  affirm,  that  an  hundred  kings,  Jefs-  guilty  than  Charles 
the  Firft,  put  to  death  on  the  fcaffold,  would  not  fjiock 
the  humanity  of  the  tenderelt  nature.  W 


(     8i     ) 

"We  will  farther  fuppofe,  that* iter  a  feries  of  years' 
adherence  to  this  law,  they  iliould  at  length,  from  a  con- 
currence of  accidents,  on  fome  very  great  emergency,de- 
viate  from  it,  and  inflict  the  punifhment  levelled  againft 
royal  delinquents  alone,  on  delinquents  of  an  inferior 
order,  I  will  venture  to  affirm  that  the  fpe£tacle,  from 

its  novelty,  of  a  Jonathan   Wild,  a  S h,  or  a  *  *  *, 

dagling  on  a  gallows,  would  afie£t  the  pailers-by  with 
companion,  and  prompt  their  ingenuity  to  devife  apolo- 
gies for   the  poor  fufferers  ;  though,  previoufly  to  their 

.  execution,  the  whole  world  had  agreed  on  the  transcen- 
dency of  their  flagitioufnefs,  the  incorrigibility  of  their 
natures,  and  that  no  fate  could  be  too  fevere  for  their 
merits.  But  although  the  fingularity  of  Charles's  deftiny, 
the  prejudices  foltered  by  the  pious  care  of  our  nurfes 
and  the  clergy,  have  greatly  contributed  to  the  falfe  light 
in  which  his  conduct,  morals,  and  general  character  are 
feen,  it  could  not  have  operated  fo  wonderfully  alone  : 
the  addrefs  and  fophiftry  of  a  fucceflion  of  our  corrupt 
citizens  have  been  let  at  work,  to  co-operate  in  miflead- 
ing  our  judgment  and  blinding  our  understandings  ;  and, 
of  this  tribe  the  pre-eminence  mult  indifputably  be  given 
to  Mr.  David  Hume  •,  for  the  pompous  anility  (as  I  think 

■  it  may  be  termed)  of  Clarendon,  the  more  than  prieltly 
fury  of  Carte,  much  lefs  the  pert  patch  work  of  Smollet, 
or  tbe  drivelling   of  poor   Goldfmith,  could    not  have 

%  wrought  any  mighty  miracles  ;  but  with  Hume,  the  cafe 
is  different ;  the  philofophical,  or  rather  fceptical  charac- 
ter of  the  man  antecedent  to  his  appearance  as  an  hif- 
torian,  and  a  ipecioufnefs  of  ltrle  render  him  lb  infinitely 
more  dangerous  than  his  fellow  labourers,  that  it  is  much 
to  be  lamented  that  fome  perfon  (for  inftance,  a  Lord 
Littleton)  eminent  for  parts  and  learning,  has  not  thought 
it  worth  his  while  p  ro  felled  ly  (but  I  would  have  it  com- 
peiulioufly,  for  a  reafon  I  ihall  hereafter  give)  to  cxpofe 
to  public  view  the  incongruities,  artifices,  and  pernicious 
intention  of   this  fophiit.     But  when  I  lament  that  no 

i    man  of  a  Superior  Ramp  has  fet  himfelf  the  talk,  I  do  not 

.  mean  that  extraordinary  learning  or  talents  are  absolutely 

neccflary  ; 


(  fc  ) 

hecefTary :  on  the  contrary,  I  think  an  attentive  pemfal; 
mufi  qualify  every  man  of  common  fenfe  full  as  well! 
for  the  purpofe,  if  we  could  fuppofe  that  an  equal  degree 
of  regard  would  be  paid  to  him  ;  but  it  is  certain,  that 
the  name  and  fignature  of  a  perfon  in  high  repute  gives? 
to  manifeft  eternal  truths,  greater  force  than  when  uttered 
by  a  common  or  unknown  writer,  although  the  efTence 
of  truth  cannot  be  altered  by  the  greater  or  lefTer  reputa- 
tion of  him  who  utters  it. 

It  is  true,  a  more  effectual  antidote  to  the  poifon  of 
Hume's  hiftory  cannot  be  dehred  than  Mrs  M'Cawley's, 
if  they  are  but  read  and  compared  together  with  their 
refpeciive  authorities  ;  but  the  misfortune  is,  the  perufal 
and  comparing  of  two  fo  bulky  writers  cannot  be  ex- 
pected from  the  lazinefs  of  modern  readers ;  and  it  is 
on  the  notions  and  principles  of  the  lazy  clafs  of  readers 
that  the  prefent  welfare  of  our  country  and  the  fate  of 
pofterity,  in  a  great  meafure,  depend.  In  fact,  of  what 
importance  would  it  be  to  the  community,  if  thofe  very 
few,  who  have  inclination  and  perfeverance  to  work 
through  volumes,  fhould  enlarge  their  minds  to  even 
theftandard  of  an  ancient  Roman,  when  the  young  no- 
bility, gentry,  and  men  of  property,  who  compofe  the 
lazy  clafs,  ftili  remain  perverted,  uncorrected,  an  uninform- 
ed ? 

For  thefe  reafons,  I  think  that  fome  works  fo  compen- 
dious as  not  to  terrify  by  its  bulk,  confined  (imply,  and 
bearing  the  import  of  fuch  in  its  title,  to  a  refutation  of 
Humes's  tenets,  and  demonflration  of  his  partiality  and 
pernicious  principles,  would  be  more  beneficial  than  a 
full,  complete  body  of  hiftory,  digefted  methodically, 
fupported  by  the  beft  authority,  and  animated  by  the  no- 
bleft  fentiments.  But  until  fome  eminent  perfon  will  ■ 
be  perfuaded  to  take  up  the  employment,  it  is  the  duty 
of  every  common  citizen  to  exert  whatever  force  he  has 
in  the  common  caufe. 

A  jealous  fpirit  in  the  people,  of  thofe  who  govern, 

and  the  principles  of  refiftance,  from  the  palladium  of 

liberty,  particularly  in  a  limited  monarchy.     An  abhor- 

-    '  rence 


(     83     ) 

rence  of  tyrapts,  or  even  of  thofe  who  have  a  femblance 
of  tyrants,  (and  it  will  fcarcely  be  difputed  that  Charles 
had  a  femblance,)  is  infeparable  from  this  jealous  fpirit 
and  principle  of  refinance  :  whoever  would  extinguish 
the  one,  would  extinguish  the  other.     When  we  fee 
therefore,  a  junto  of  notorious  court-retainers,  clubbing 
their  labours  to  reconcile  us  to  the  defpotic  adminiftra- 
tion  of  Charles,  to  his  duplicity,  to  his  breach  of  faith, 
and  violation   of  the  moil   folemn  compacts,  we   may 
fafely  conclude,  that  a  defign  is  lodged  to  extinguifh  the 
neceffary  jealous  fpirit  of  liberty  and  inculcate  the  princi- 
ples of  non-refiltancc.      It  may  be  faid,  that  a  too  great 
jealoufy  of  liberty  is  equally  dangerous  with  a  too  great 
confidence  •,  that  as  the  latter  may  plunge  us  into  (lave- 
ry,  the  former  may  into  anarchy  :  I  mould  allow  fomc 
weight  to  this  objection,  if  in  the  whole  courfe  of  our 
hiftory,  a  refutation,  in  a  fingle  inftanee,  could  be  pro- 
duced of  thefe  pofitions  ;    That  the  fpirit  of  liberty  is  fl'jiv 
to  nel,  even  agaiuft  the  tvorfe  princes,  and  exerts  it  ft  If in 
r   of  the  befl   with  more  effect  than  any   other  fpirit 
whatfocver.      I  muft  therefore   repeat,   that  the  keeping 
alive  the  jealous  fpirit  of  liberty  is  a  common  caufe  ; 
'That  a  deteftation  of  tyrants,  or  even  of  thofe  who  lean 
to  tyranny,  is  infeparable  from  this  fpirit  j  That  Charles 
the  Firft  was  a  tyrant  in  principle  and  in  actio:-.  ;   That 
thofe  who  labour  to  reconcile  us  to  his  conduct  and  cha- 
racter, would  deftr6y. the  fpirit  of  liberty,  and. ultimate- 
ly eftablilh  the  principle  of  non-refdlance  ;  That  a  jun- 
to of  mercenaries  and  court  retainers  do  labour  to  thefe 
purpofes  ;  That  it  is,  therefore,  the  duty  of  everv  com- 
mon citizen,  who  has  the  interelt  of  his  country  at  heart, 
to  exert  continually  whatever  force  he  has  to  defeat  their 
purpofes  ;  or,   at  lealt,  weaken   their  influence  ;  for,  in 
mechanics,   the  f mallei!  force  continually  applied  will 
overcome  the  mod  violent  motions   communicated  to 
bodies. 

From  thefe  confidcrations,  I  purpofe  to  offer  to  the 
public,  hereafter,  fomc  curfory  remarks  on  Mr.  Hume's 
Hiltory  of  the  two  firlt  Stuarts  :  if  they  are  well  receiv- 
ed, 


(     84     ) 

ed,  I  Hiall  continue  them  through  the  reigns  of  the  two 
Iaft.  If  they  have,  in  any  degree,  the  effect  which  I 
could  wifh,  I  foall  think  myfelf  amply  recompenced,  the 
only  recompence  which  I  can  promife  myfelf.  I  cannot 
hope  for  any  .glory  from  the  compofition  ;  the  little  rea- 
ding which  a  foldier  can  fnatch  up  at  intervals  will  fcarce- 
ly  qualify  him  to  reap  laurels  in  the  field  of  literature  j 
and  it  will  eafily  be  believed,  that  the  fentiments  which 
I  avow,  will  not  procure  a  place  or  a  penfion. 


A  BREAKFAST  FOR  R********. 

Mr.  H , 

AS  Mr.  R has  given  the  public  to  under- 
ftand,  that  he  does  not  chufe  to  deal  with  any 
writers,  but  thofe  of  the  mod  accurate  and  elegant  kind, 
and  who  have  paffed  through  a  regular  courfe  of  educa-  3 
tion  •,  and  as  I  cannot  flatter  myfelf,  that  I  am  one  of 
this  clafs,  I  do  not  prefume  to  offer  this  little  perform- 
ance to  him,  though  it  is  intended  for  his  vindication  ; 
but,  as  I  underftand,  from  the  fame  authority,  that  you 
admit  into  your  paper  even  the  lowcft  trafh,  I  find 
myfelf  under  the  neceflity  of  applying  to  you.  Mr. 
R has  I  know,  like  other  gi'eat  men,  his  calumni- 
ators and  enemies  , — envy  and  malice  ever  were  attend- 
ant on  exalted  genius  and  merit.  It  is  inconceivable, 
what  numbers  are  endeavouring  to  detract  from  tim 
wonderful  perfonage  ;  how  they  ftrain  their  little  wits 
to  throw  a  ridicule  upon  his  talents,  his  ftyle,  his  inte-* 
grity,  and  even  his  erudition.  This  lofty  one  fhould  ima- 
gine, if  any  thing  of  human  attainment  can,  is  unquef- 
tionablc,  as  he  has  given  fuch  eminent  and  manifold 
proofs  of  it :  however  it  does  not  efcape  them.  I  found 
myfelf  the  other  night  (for  as  a  fcudier  of  men  and  cha- 
racters I  afibciate  with  all  forts)  amongft  a  fet  of  the 
moft  ilaming  factious  enemies  to  all  order  and  govern- 
ment ;  where  the  mod  refpe£t.able  characters  of  th 
were  treated  with  fcandalous  freedom.    Lord  Mansfield 


(     »5 

was  a  Jeffries,  Lord  Bute  a  folemn,  empty,  pedantic  Ja- 
cobite, and  Mr.  R a  ridiculous,  pragmatical,  flip- 
flop  coxcomb  :  they  faid>  that  lie  had  not  decency  enough 
for  the  porter  of  a  bawdy-houfe,  learning  enough  for  a 
barrack  wafher-woman,  nor  imagination  fufftcien:  for  a 
Chriilmas-bellman  : — that  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was 
turned  out  of  the  blue-fchool,  where  he  had  been  bred, 
as  too  incorrigible  a  dunce  to  make  a  fcavenger  of ;  that 
they  had,  by  way  of  jocular  experiment,  for  fome  time 
tried  him  in  this  capacity  j  but  that  he  always,  in  windy 
days,  fwept  the  dull  up  againft  the  wind.  By  perfilling 
in  this  practice  he  was  very  near  lofing  his  eyes,  and 
that  you  may  obfevve  they  are  ftill  extremely  weak  from 
its  effects.  At  this,  Sir,  I  own  my  blood  boiled.  I  faid, 
they  mult  be  driven  to  great  ftraite  indeed,  if  they  could 
object  nothing  worfe  to  a  gentleman's  character  than 
his  having  been  bred  at  a  charity-fchool  j  for  that  it  had 
been  the  cafe  of  fome  of  the  molt  illuflrious  men  the 
nation  had  produced  *,  the  late  Lord  Hardwicke,  and 
Mr.  Prior,  had  been  educated  in  the  fame  maimer.  As 
to  the  flory  of  the  weaknefs  of  his  eyes,  proceeding  from 

►  {Weeping  the  duft  againft  the  wind,  I  know  it  to  bz  a 
falfhood  ;  for  that  it  had  been  contracted,  to  my  know- 
ledge, by  poring  into  a  Johnfon's  dictionary  of  his  own 
printing,  late  at  nights,  to  find  out  decent  polyfyllables, 

I  of  lufficicnt  found  and  dignity,  to  dref3  up  an  advertife- 
ment  of  Scotch  herrings,  lumber,  and  pickled  oyltcrs. 

I  afl'erted,  that  his  compofitio.s  were  incomprehenfi- 
hly  fine,  liis  language  fonorious  and  mufical ;   although, 
perhaps,  he  did  not  always  apply  words  to  their  legiti- 
mate meaning  ;  as  who  docs  in  fuch  an   immenfity  of 
|>ufinefs ;  and  that  he  fhould  round  a  period  with  any 
bookfellerin  Chriftendom  :  That  he  was  a  Latin  jfcholar, 
I  thought  muft  be  allowed  by  all  unprejudiced  men, 
red  his  numb  ulefs  and  apt  quotations 
ice.     Uno.i  my  mentioning  his  knowledge  of 
10k  company  burft  out  into  a  hone -laugh, 
;ht  was  \ery  indecent,  and,  when  the  up- 
roar lubfided,  demanded  the  explanation.    They  infilled 

I  upon 


(     B6    ) 

upon  it,  that  he  was  fo  totally  ignorant  of  it,  that  he  did 
not  know  the  meaning,  nor  could  he  conjugate  the  verbs 
merit iory  nor  vapttlo,  though  he  fo  generally  practifed  the 
former,  and  has  fo  often  experienced  the  latter  : — that 
his  patches  of  Horace  were  always  furnifhed  by  his  friend 
the  Doctor — that  when  he  had  finifhed  one  of  his  pie- 
ces, he  always  applied  to  the  Doctor  for  a  motto  to  dig- 
nify his  performance  ;  that,  for  inftance,  the  four  lines 
from  Horace,  prefixed  to  his  late  Epiftle  to  Mr.  Sears, 
(which  I  really  think  one  of  the  fmarteft  things  I  ever 
Head)  u-ere  pointed  out  by  the  Doctor  •,  and  that  a  blun- 
der whimfical  enough  happened  on  this  occafion,  though 
it  was  fortunately  rectified  in  time  for  the  prefs.  They 
^elated,  that  when  he  went  as  ufual  for  his  motto  to  th«? 
•Docler*  the  Doctor  wrote  him  down  thefe  lines  ; 

While  you  alone  fuftajn  the  weighty  cares 
Of  nil  the  world,  and  manage  peace  and  wars ; 
The  Roman  State  by  virtue's  rules  amend, 
Adorn  with  manners,  and  with  arms  defend  ; 
To  write  a  long  difcourte,  and  watte  your  time, 
Againft  the  public  gooj,  wou'd  be  a  crime. 

faying,  "  R you  may  tranfcribe  the  Latin  at  your 

leifure,  as  you  have  Horace  in  your  mop-,  remember,  it 
is  the  firft  epiftle."  R went  home  vaftly  hap- 
py, but  unluckily  miftook  the  firft  fatire  for  the  firft  epif- 
tle. When  the  Doctor  went  to  revife  it  the  next  morn- 
ing, he  found  thefe  lines  very  fairly  written — §{ui  fit 
Macenas  tit  nemo  quamt  &c.  and  under,  the  above  tranf- 
lation.  They  added,  that  though  the  Doctor  was  that 
morning  in  an  horrible  ill  humour  (as  he  had  juft  been 
reading  the  Bifhop  of  St.  Afaph's  fpeech)  he  could  not 
refrain  from  laughing  5  but,  however,  after  having  be- 
ftov/ed  fome  anathemas  on  the  fkullof  his  friend,  he,  for 
the  honour  of  the  common  caufe,  took  the  pains  to  tranf- 
cribe the  lines  with,  his  own  hand,  to  prevent  any  further 
blunders.  They  then  proceeded  to.  fall  foul  upon  his 
Euglifh  ;  they  faid  that  when  lie  firft  fet  up  his  prefs, 
and  before  he  was  under  the  correction  of  tl;e  Doctor, 
I  s  I  Dwrke  rtnvflceteers,  muik-cat-ears — dra- 
goons, 


(  ' 

5,  dragons — battalions,  battle    lions  ;  and  tli  i 
really  thought  thefe  itrangc  things  were  made  ulb  of  in 
war  ;  that  all  the  words  ending  in  tion,  as  finggelh 
cafligatiotiy  falivationt  words  he  is  heft  acquaint 
he  fpelt  with  znJJj.     I  hate  the   ftory  they  told  of  him, 
which,  although  \  was  curfedly  enraged,  I  confefs  i 
me  fmile ;  that  writing  to  his  niece,  who  was  goii 
be  married  to  an  eminent  pawnbroker  in  St.  Mai 
Lane,  he  began  his  letter  thus  :  "  My  dear  Kitty,  as 
are  going  to  be  married,  and  arc  (o  very  young  a 
vfould  advife  you  by  all  mean.i,  at  lead,  at  mil,  to 
a  little  cuJJjicn"  meaning  it  for  caution.     Now   i  w 
appeal  to  all  mankind,  who  are  not  totally  blinded  I  jf 
party  and  faction,  whether  it  is  credible,  whether  it  is 
pcflible,  that  a  gentleman,  who  has  from  his  cradle  been 
in  fome  fort  a  retainer  of  the  Mufes,  ihould  be  guilty  of 
fuch  grofs,  fuch  ridiculous  blunders.     When  1  fay  Mr. 

R has  been  a  retainer  of  the  Mufes,  I  do  not 

mean  Sir,  iu  your  paltry  fphcrc,  a  mere  dealer  in  indexes 
and  title  pages.  No,  Sir*,  his  fphere  has  oeen  more  en- 
larged. It  is  notorious,  that  when  he  had  fmifhed  his 
ftudies,  he  was  invited  into  a  fociety  of  eminent  intinera- 
ry  comedians  ;  I  know  very  well,  that  his  enemies  give 
cut,  that  he  only  amputated  the  luminaries  betwixt  the 
a&s  ;  but  I  could  bring  authentic  proofs  of  his  dinin- 
guifhing  himielf  in  fome  import,.  is. 


A  PAM- 


(     *8     ) 

February  3,'  ifj$> 

A      P    A    M    P    H    L    E    1',* 

ENTITLED, 

<l  A  friendly  Addrefs  to  all  rtafonahle  Americans,  on  the 
'*  Subject1  of  cur  Political  Confufons"  gave  birth  to  the 
following  Performance,  addreiTed  to  the  people  of 

AMERICA. 

''  Let's  canvafs  hi:n  in  his  broad  cardinal's  hat." 

Shakespeare* 


To  the  PEOPLE  of  AMERICA 

APAMP5ILET,  entitled,  A  friendly  Addrefs  to  all 
renfonable  Americans,  advertifed  and  fold  by  Mr. 
James  Rivington,  of  New-York,  is  of  fo  extraordinary 
a  nature,  that  it  is  difficult  for  any  man  who  is  intereftcJ 
in  the  welfare  of  the  community  (whatever  contempt  he 
may  have  for  the  performance)  to  remain  filertt.  I  know 
not  whether  the  author  is  a  layman  or  eccletiaftic,  but 
he.  bears  flronglv  the  characters  of  the  latter  :  he  has 
the  "T-;vnt  d  candour  and  truth,  he  apparent  fpifit  of 
pcifec  .-lot.,  the  Uriforgivenefs,  the  deadly  hatred  to  dif- 
fenter>,  ind  the  ?e?.l  for  arbitrary  pciver  which  has  dii- 
tinguifrn  I  churchmen  in  ai:  age;,  and  more  particularly 
]\  e  hig  i  part  of  the  Church  of  England.  I  cannot  help, 
theretore,  CQnfidering  him  as  one  of  this  order. 

The  defign  pfhis  K.evcrence's  pamphlet,  is  manneltly 
to  dirTolve  tiie  fpirit  of  union,  and  check  the  r.oble  ar- 
dour, prevailing  through  the  continent ;  but  his  zeal  lo 
far  outrun?  his  abilities,  that  there  U  tiic  greateft  reaibn* 


to 


*  !•    -  1  |-e  Revere: :.  Dr.  Miles  Ciopc; 

pn  .'"  •    -  lefce,  l<ev.--Ycrk. 


(     »9     ) 

to  think  that  he  has  laboured  to  little  efFs.   1.     I 
tion  feems  to  be  ftill  lef:>  than  hio  genius  ;  a  man  of 
mon  judgment  would  not  fo  wantonly  hai  I  the 

general  reigning  principle  and  opinions  c 
whom  he  intends  to  intimidate  or  feduccout 
rights  and  privileges.  For  inilance,  J  believe  there  are 
at  leait  ninety-nine  Americans  in  an  hundred,  who  think 
that  Charles  the  Firft  was  an  execrable  tyrant  -,  that  he 
met  with  no  harder  fate  than  he  deferved  ;  ;  n  :.  that  his 
two  Tons  ought,  in  juflice,  to  have  mule  the   L.ir.e 

To  defcantj  therefore,  on  the  criminality  of  'the  refin- 
ance made  to  that  tyrant ;  to  aiilcir,  on  every  occasion, 
giving  the  title  of  rebellion  to  the  civil  war  which  brought 
him  to  juflice,  is  a  degree  of  weaknefs  which  no  man 
who  is  not  blinded  by  the  daemon  of  Jacobitifm  ( 
polfibly  be  guilty  of.     But  to  preach   up  in  this  eali 
ened  age,  as  he  docs  in  almoit  exprefs  terms,  pSflive  obe- 
dience, is  a  mark  of  lunacy,  or  at  leail  it   proves  that  the 
moment  a  head  begins  to   itch  for  a  mitre,  it  lofcs  the 
faculty  of  reafoning  ;  for  it   the  principle  of  pa 
dienee,  is  admitted,   the.  gracious  prince,   for  whom 
lie-  ,renee  profeflcs  fo  great  a  devotion,  is   a    dowm 
ufurper,  and  the  parliament,  of  which  he   fpeaka  fo 
pcctfully,  Lord*  and  Commons,  are  rebels  and   traitors. 

The  doctrines  he   aims   to  inculcate  are    as   follows  : 
"  That  the  parliament  has  a  right  to   tax  you   witl 
your  confent  ;  that   the   duty   upon  tea  is   no  tax  ; 
this  duty  is  your  only  grievance  ;  that  the  caufe  of  Sof- 
ten is  their  own  concern  -,  that  it  is  not  yom  caufe  j   I 
the  punifhment  of  Bollon  is  a  jult  punifhment ;  tl 
is  lenient;  that  it  is  not  equal  to  their  crimes  •,  that  the 
Boftonians  are  rubles,  traitors,  and  pampered    fana 
that  the  Congrefs  are  little  better;  that  no  n 
<tf  administration  can  juftify  or  excufe   open  diiVefpecl  9 
that  fubmifhon  is  to  be  paid  to  the  higher  pow 
ever  character  tliey  be  ;  that  an  apoIUe  enjoined   fub- 
miflion  to  the  tyrant  Nero  ;  that  of  all  people  under  hea- 
ven, the   king's  American  fubjetls  have  the  leaft   caufe 
for  complaint  j  that  the  prefent  confufion  of  the  ( 

1  2  niea 


(     9^     ) 

:iies  have  been  occ;  fi  i  fe  alarms  ;  that  none  of 

your  legal  right  \  have  been  invaded  ;,  no  injury  has  been 
done  you  ;  and,  cohfequenriy,  that  you  can  never  he 
justified  in  refenting  that  of  which  you  have  no  restfoft 
to  complain;  that  you  are  no  judges  of  the  rights  of 
Parliament;  that  tl  imerrt  ought  to  a&  according 

to  their  own  judgment,  not  according  to  yours,  even  in 
s   which  concern  you   principally  or  foiely  ;  that 
they  albert  they  have  the  right- in  queftion  ;  that  you  have 
never  proved  they  have  not  ;  that  you  have  always   be- 
lieved or  allowed  they  have,  until  the  prefent  occafion  ; 
that  the  Quebec   Bill  is  a   juft   and  conftitutional  bill ; 
tint  the  Canadians  are  likely  to  prove  the   belt  and  molt 
loyal  fubjec.ts  in  his  Majefty's  American  dominions  ;, 
there  is  too  much  reafon  to  believe,  that  the   minds  of 
the  Americans  are  unprincipled,  and  their  hearts  dil 
fed  for  rebellion  ;v  that,  fince  the  reduction  of  Canada, 
they  have  been  bloated  with  a  vain  opinion  of  :. 
power  and  importance  ;  that  the  iitand  of  Great  Britain 
is  able   to  govern  (that   i*,  to  dragoon)   ten   A 
that  the  moment  it  is  known  that  America   is  no  lori 
under  the  protection  of  Great  -Britain,   all  the  marl 
powers  of  Europe  would  join  to  ravage  your  fea-p< 
ler  and  feize  your  flap?,  merely  for  the  pleafui 
;irtg  ;   -':   chat  all  the  maritime  powers  of  the  world 

WOUid 

*  Thi '  is  perhaps  the  mo0:  prepofterpus  idea  that  ever  was  hi 

in  a-cli  Ami  rica  (more  particularly  fin  :t  the  rl 

'  tip  is  i  ■       •-■:  i  ■  Ft c :i  place )  has  been  the  I 

[s  it'poffible  to- conceive;  that  the  diffeYeat  mari- 

lowers  fliouid  unite  to  deprive  themfelves  of  the  chief  means. of 

fubfiftence^  merely  for  the  fun's  fake  ?  Is  it  not  more  natural   tc  fup- 

pofe  that  they  woul  1  outbid  each  other  for  your  friendfhip   and  corn- 

e,  on  which  fo  much  depends?  When  the  Low  Countries  wil 
drew  themfelves  from  the  dominion  of  Spain,  did  England  France,  and 
the  other  powers,  immediately  let  about  ravaging  their  fea-p<  rts  and 
is  ?  Did  they  not,  on  the  contrary,  exert  themfelves, 
directly  and  indiredUy,  toainft  them  ?  The  cafe  is  fin:ilar  ;  the  event 
would  be  fimilar,  and  that  Great  Britain  v;  uld  not  be  powerful  enough 
i,  wlien  feparated  from  her  colonies  to  prevent  this  amftance,! 
fnali  refer  my  readers  to  Maine's  Eftimates,the  authority  of  which  1  as 
never  been  difputed,  and  which  demonstrate  that  more  than  half  the 
naval  power  of  Great  Britain  Hands  on  her  Ameri  :«h  foundation, 


(     9*     ) 

would  not   difpoflcfs    Great  Britain  of  the   empire  of 
the  for,  even  when   America  is  feparated  from  her." 
Now  I  challenge  the  world  to  produce  (o   many  wicl 
fciitiments,  ftupid  principles,  audacioufly  fatfe  afle 
ar.d  monftrous  abfurdities,   crouded   together  into 
fmall  a  compafs.     All  his  pofitions,  ind<  ed,  arc  io  felf- 
evidently  abfurd  and  falfe,  that  it  would  be  an  infult  to 
American  underftanding,  ferioufly  to  attempt  refuti 
them.     I  final)  only  beg  leave  to  take  notice  of  the  curi- 
ous argument  he  ufes  to  prove  the  duty  on  tea  to  be  no 
tax  :  it  is,  that  unlefs  *ve  confent  to  the  tax,  wc  arc  net  t: 
pay  the  duty;   ire  may   refuje purchafuig  it  ifnvt  pi  - 
The  fame  logic  would  demonstrate  that  a  duty  on  I 
candles  or  foap,  would  be  no  tax  :  as  we   are  not   abfe- 
lutely  obliged  to  drink,  beer  we  may  drink  water  ; 
may  go  to  bed  before  it  is  dark,  and  we  are  not  forced 
to  wafh  our  fhirts;     His  aflertion  that  Great   Britain, 
when  divorced  from  her  colonies,  will  (lill  hold  the 
pireof  the  feas,  irifpite.  of  all  the  powers  of  the  world, 
ill  more  ingenious.     It  amounts  to  this,  that  without 
•  means  of  procuring  timber^  iron,  planks,  mafls, 
,  or  hemp,  tofurfiijh  out  afingk  frigate  they  may 
than   all   the   t  together;   ihet 

ry  for  .v.  men  is  di  °royedt  mid  all  the  com- 

ds   ;'..  annihi'a- 
then  be  ah  ieets  than  the  ivhole 

gether.     But  lam   afhamed  of  trefpa 

;ice,  in  making  tinctures  on  fuch  ri- 
.  s ;  I  fhall  therefore  pafe  to  iome  queftiohs 
.  b  have  net  been  fo  much  agitated.,  and  on  which, 
if  I  miftake  not,  his  Reverence  lays  the  greateit  ftrefs  ; 
for,  as  he  rnodeftly  declares,  that  he  has  no  opinion  of 
your  courage,  it  was  natural  for  him  to  eonfider  intimi- 
dation and  terror,  as  the  mod  powerful  figures  of  rheto- 
ric.     Regular  armies  from  Great  Britain,  Hefftans,  Hano- 
:ns,  ro\alflandards  erefied,  Jkilful  generals ',  legions  of 
Canadians )  and  unnumbered  tribes  effavages,  fivords  fla- 
ming  in  the  front   ar.d  rear,  pefllilencc,  defotaticny  andfa- 
;  are  all  marihalled  in  a  molt  dreadful  order  by  this 

church 


i\  P2     1 

cmu-;h  militant  author.  But  let  us  fomewhat  minutely 
examine  the  picture,  and  fee  whether  (tripped  of  its 
ialie  Colouring,  it  has  anything  really  terrifying,  Kis 
Reverence  begins  with  alluring  us,  that  there  is  no  room 
to  doubt  but  that  fuch  an  army  as  was  employed  in  the 
reduction  of  Canada  (that  is,  an  army  of  7000  men) 
would  be  more  than  fufficient  for  the  ccnquell  of  ail  the 
difaffeclxd  American  colonics,  which  are,  in  fact,  all  the 
colonies,  ihould  fuch  a  refolution  become  neceffary  in 
order  to  reduce  them  to  obedience.  For  my  own  parr, 
I  think  there  is  very  great  reafpn  to  doubt  that  7000, 
even  of  the  belt  troops,  are  able  to  conquer  200,000  of 
the  molt  diforderly  peasantry  upon  earth,  if  they  are  ani- 
mated in  defence  of  every  thing  they  hold  moil  dear  and 
facred  -,  and  there  is  itill  greater  reafon  to  doubt  that 
7000  very  indifferent  troops,  compofed  of  the  refufe  of 
anexhaaitcd  nation,  few  of  whom  have  feen  action  of 
any  kind,  Ihould  be  able  to  conquer  200,000  active,  vi- 
gorous yeomary,  fired  with  the  noble  ardour  we  fee 
prevalent  through  the  continent,  all  armed,  ail  expert 
in  the  uie  of  arms,  almoft  from  their  cradles.  The  fuccefs 
of  Quebec,  it  is  true,  does  infinite  honour  to  the  Knglifh 
army  j  the  army  was,  I  believe,  only  7000  5  the  enemy 
were  perhaps  more  than  double,  but  16,000  men  are  not 
200,000.  The  fate  of  Canada  depended  upon  one  de- 
cifive  aclion,  but  it  is  impoflible  to  calculate  how  many 
victories  mult  be  gained  before  the  Colonies  could  be 
fubducd  ;  whereas  a  fmgle  victory  gained  by  the  Colo* 
nies  mull  decide  the  contefl  in  their  favour.  In  the  af- 
fair of  Quebec,  there  is  another  cireumltance  to  be  con- 
fulered  ;  it  was  a  Wolfe  who  commanded,  a  man  of  the 
moft  wonderful  talents,  formed  to  level  all  difficulties, 
to  render  the  moft  difpicable  foldiery  almoft  inftantane- 
ouflyan  army  of  heroes.  In  fhort,  the  genius  of  the 
man  was  fo  extraordinary,  the  event  was  lo  extrordina- 
ry,  that  no  inferences  can  be  drawn  from  k  ;  but  this, 
without  prefumption,  may  be  afferted,  that  no  general, 
now  exifting  in  the  Britifh  ferviee,  would,  with  double 
or  treble  his  number,  have  fuceeeded  in  the  lame  cir- 
cumftanccs.  One 


(     03     ) 

1  '•    One  tiling  more  I  muft  add  in  honour  of  that  ill 
ous  perfonage,  that  the  fame  greathefs  of  foul  wl 
qualified  him  to  conquer  the  natural  her ed 
of  this  country,  would  have  made  him  reject  with  horror 
the  hangman's  office  ;  which  others,  who  are  not  endow- 
ed with  conquering  attributes,  will,  with  veadinefs,  ac- 
cept. 

It  is  notorious,  that  Mr.  Wolfe  was  not  only  the  mil 

"  of  foldiers,  butthat  he  was  a  mod  liberal  virtuous  citizen; 
that  he  was  paffionately  attached  to  the  liberties  of  his 
country,  and  of  mankind;  and  that  he  was  particularly 
an  enemy  to  large  {landing  armie?,  in  time  of  pe.-!cc.  Jt 
is,  on  the  other  hand,  remarkable  that  all  the  advocates 
for  (landing  armies,  all  thofe  who  are  the  fondeft  of  the 
faddling  and  parade  of  war,  are  the  mofl  aclive  in  avoid- 
ing real  fervice. 

This  tremendous  foothfayef,  on  the  fuppefition,  that  (o 
great  a  miracle  fhould  happen  in  our  favour,  as  that  the 
trifling  body  of  500,000  men  though  firmly  united  (for 
every  man  in  America,  firmly  united,  would  not  amount 
to  lefs)  fhould  be  able  to  withftartd  his  7000,  goes  on  to 
rattle  in  our  cars  armies  of  Hellians  and  Hanoverr 
wifh  to  Heaven  he  had  for  once  deviated  into  pre  I 
ty  and  truth:  I  with   10,000  of  them  could  poffibly  be 
tranfported  to-morrow.     The  purpofe  they  wouh 
fwer,  is  a  puppofe  devoutly  to  bewifhed  fur,  they  would 
be  an  addition  to  this  continent   cf  juft  fo  many   u 
and  excellent  citizens  ;  fi^r  I  will  venture  to 

ingis  infectious,  that  in  lefs  than  four  months  not 
two  of  thefe  ip,oco  would  remain  with  their  colours. 
Bat  does  not  this  reverend  Gentleman  know,  that  in  the 
Tear  1 764,  a  conv,  as  formed  by  molt  of  the  prin- 

:'  the  empire,  at  the  h<  ad  of  which  convention   were 
the  emperor  himfelfand  the  king  ofTruffia,  to  pn 
the  alarming  emigrations  which  threatened  depopulation 
to  Germany  ?   Does  he    not    know,  that  no   troops  can 

'.  march  out  of  th"e*empire  without  the  content  of  the  Em  • 
peror  ?  Does  he  not  know  that  the  Elector  of  Hanover 

•and  the  Emperor  are  upon  exceeding  ill  terms?  Does 

he 


(     94     ) 

he  no  know,  that  the  Elector  of  Hanover  and  the  Kin* 
of  Pruflia  are  (till  upon  worfe  p  Is  he  urre  that  the  Land-' 
grave  of  HeiTe  would  fell  his  troops  ?  For,  as  not  one 
man  would  return  back  to  their  country,  he  muft  confiJ 
der  them  as  for  ever  fold.  Is  he  fure  that,  as  the  finan-^ 
ces  of  Great  Britain  ftand,  the  vaft  fum  neceflary  for  this  " 
purchafe  would  be  conveniently  found  ?  Is  he  fure  that' 
the  ftate  of  Hanover  would  confent  to  fuch  a  draining 
cf  their  country  ?  I  know  not  how  it  is  ;  but  his  molt 
excellent  Majefty  George  the  Third,  who  in  England 
iajmtly  efteemed  the  mod  gracious  of  fovereigns,  the. 
wiled,  greateft,  andbeft  of  kings,  is  not  very  popular  in 
the  Electorate  of  Hanover.  Thefe  people  feem  to  think 
it  hard,  that  270,000!.  mould  annuaily  be  drawn  from 
them,  for  the  purpofes,  as  they  conceive  it,  of  corrupting 
the  members  of  St.  Stephen's  Chapel,  in  order  to  fupport 
the  power  and  authority  of  a  fet  of  men,  who,  from  the 
beginning,  havebeenenemies  tothe  fucceflion  of  the  Han- 
cver  line,  and  who  mewed  a  particular  animofity  to  their 
laft  and  favourite  prince  George  the  Second.  But  thefe 
difficulties  (great  and  unfurmountable  as  to  a  common 
mortal  they  appear)  our  divine  exorcift  has,  in  an  inftant, 
conjured  down  ;  and  by  a  fmgle  motion  of  his  enchant- 
ed wand,  has  tranfported  whole  armies  in  fpite  of  their 
refpettive  princes,  and  without  the  confent  of  their  re- 
fpcclive  ftates,  from  the  interior  parts  of  Germany,  acrofs 
the  Atlantic  into  the  plains  of  New  England  and  Penn- 
f/lvania  j  but  he  does  not  confine  himfelf  to  the  intro- 
duction of  his  Germans.  He  proceeds  next  to  erecXthe 
royal  ftandard,  to  which  he  tells  us,  that  all  who  hay/e 
the  courage  to  declare  thcmfelves  now  friends  to  govern* 
,  will  undoubtedly  refort  j  and  thefe,  he  fays,  in  a 
good  caufo,  will  be  of  themfelves  formidable  to  their  op- 
pofqrs.  Dreadfully  formidable  they  mult  be  indeed  ! 
There  would  refort  to  it  •,  let  me  fee,  for  the  refpettable 
town  of  R  ye,  have  declared  themfelves  a  kind  of  neutrals, 
rather  than  friends  to  government  ;  there  would  refort  to 
it,  Mr.  Juitice  Sewell,  the  honourable  Mr.  Paxton,  Bri-J 
gadier  Kuggles,  and  about  eight  or  ten  more  mandamus 

co  1.. 


(    93    ) 

Council-men,  with  perhaps  twice  their  number  of  expec- 
tants, and  not  lefs  than  twenty  of  the  unrecanted  Hutch- 
infonian  addreflers ;  thefc  the  four  provinces  of  Nev.- 
England  alone  would  fend  forth.  New-York  would  fur- 
rnfh  fix,  feven,  or  probably  eight  volunteers,  from  a  cer- 
tain knot,  who  are  in  pofleffion  or  expectation  of  con- 
tracts, and  the  fourth  part  of  a  dozen  of  high-flying 
Church  of  England  Romanifed  priefts.  I  reprefent  to 
myfelf  the  formidable  countenance  they  will  make,  when 
arranged  under  the  royal  or  ministerial  ftandard  j  but  what 
will  add  to  the  terror  of  the  appearance  will  he  their  Re- 
verend Pontifex  himfelf,  whom  I  conceive  marching  in 
■be  front,  an  inquifitorial  frown  upon  his  brow,  his  bands 
and  canonicals  floating  to  the  air,  bearing  a  crofs  in  his 
hands,  with  the  tremendous  motto,  in  hoc  figno  vinces, 
flaming  upon  it  in  capital  letters  of  blood,  leading  them 
en  and  exciting  them  to  victory.  It  is  impoffible  that 
men,  who  are  not  under  an  infatuation  by  the  judgment 
of  Heaven,  fhould  flatter  themfelves,  that  forty  thoufand 
American  yeomanry  ;  for  we  are  allured  by  the  fame 
great  authority,  that  more  than  forty  thoufand  cannot  be 
brought  to  action,  fhouid  Hand  the  (hock  of  this  dread- 
ful phalanx. 

But  I  {hould  beg  pardon  for  attempting  to  be  ludicrous, 
upon  ;i  fubjett,  which  demands  our  utmoft  indignation. 
I  (hall  now,  therefore,  on  the  prefumption  that  the  peo- 
ple of  England  mould  be  fo  loft  to  fenfe,  virtue  and  fpi- 
rit,  as  to  fuffer  their  pfofligate  mif-rufers  to  pcrfeverc  in 
their  prefent  meafures,  endeavour  to  (late  to  you  what 
is  their  force,  and  what  is  yours.  J  (hall  endeavour  to 
remove  the  falfe  terrors  which  this  writer  would  hold 
put  in  order  to  intimidate  you  from  the  defence  of  your 
liberties  and  thofe  of  pofterity,  that  he  and  his  fimilars 
may  wallow  in  (inecures  and  benefices,  heaped  up  from 
the  fruits  of  your  labour  and  induftry  Great  Britain 
has,  1  believe,  of  infantry  at  home,  comprehending  Ire- 
land, and  exclufive  of  the  guards,  fifteen  thoufand  men. 
They  find  the  greateft  difficulty  in  keeping  the  regiments 
up  to  any  thing  near  their  eftablilhmeat;    What  they 

arc 


(     9<5     ) 

tare  able  to  procure  are  of  the  worfl  fort.  They  are 
compofed  of  the  moil  debauched  weavers,  apprentice.-, 
the  fcum  of  the  Irifii  Roman  Catholics,  who  defert  upon 
every  occafion,  and  a  few  Scotch,  who  are  not  flroag 
enough  to  carry  packs.  This  is  no  exaggeration  ;  thofe* 
who  have  been  lately  at  Bofton,  represent  the  foldiersr 
there  (one  or  two  regiments  excepted)  as  very  defective 
in  fize,  and  apparently  in  (Irength.  But  we  fhall  be  told 
they  are  ftiil  regulars,  and  regulars  have  an  irrefiflible 
advantage.  There  is,  perhaps,  more  impofition  in  the 
term  regular  troops,  than  in  any  of  the  jargon  which  ii- 
fues  from  the  mouth  of  a  quack  Doctor.  I  do  not  mean 
to  infinuate,  that  a  diforderly  mob  are  equal  to  a  trained 
difciplined  body  of  men  :  but  I  mean,  that  all  the  eifen- 
tials,  neceflary  to  form  infantry  for  real  fervice,  may  be 
acquired  in  a  few  months.*  I  mean,  that  it  is  very  pof- 
fible  for  men  to  be  cloathed  in  red,  to  be  expert  in  all 
the  tricks  of  the  parade,  to  call  themfelves  regular  troops, 
and  yet,  by  attaching  themfelves  principally  or  folciy  to 
the  tinfel  and  {how  of  war,  be  totally  unfit  for  real  few 
v'ce.  This,  J  am  told,  is  a  good  deal  the  cafe  of  the 
prefent  Britifh  infantry.  If  they  can  acquit  themfelves 
tolerably  in  the  puerile  reviews,  exhibited  for  the  amufe- 
ment  of  royal  mailers  and  milfes  in  Hyde  Park,  or  Wim- 
bletoh  Common,  it  is  fufficient. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  late  war,  fome  of  the  rnoft 
efteemed  regular  regiments  were  fent  over  to  this  coun- 
try ;  they  were  well  drefied,  they  were  well  powdered, 
they  were  perfect  mailers  of  their  manual  exereiie,  thev 

fired; 

*  There  cannot  be  a  flronjcr  illuftration  of  the  truth  here  advanced! 
than  the  Pruffian  army.  They  are  compofed  of  about  one-third  of  the 
King's  fubjects,  two-thirds  foreigners.  The  third  confiding  of  his  ov.ii 
fubjecTs,  are,  when  the  exercifing  fcafon  is  over,  which  Iafts  fix  or  leven 
•weeks,  fu%red  to  return  to  tl  eir  families,  and  attend  to  the  ";. 
of  hufbandry,  Half  of  the  ether  two-thirds,  confiihng  of  for 
are  not  only  permitted,  but  encouraged  to  work  at  their  trades  in  the 
garrifon  towns,  and  never  touch  a  mufquet  for  the  reft  of  the  year.  Sd 
that,  in  faft,  only  one-third  are,  in  the  modern  language,  tu  be  called 
regular  foldiers  :  thefe  generally  make  their  efcape  the  nrft  oppcr. uni- 
ty. It  may  be  faid,  therefore,  that  the  King  of  Pnifiia  has  gained  all 
his  victories  with  a  fort  of  militia. 


(    97    ) 

fired  together  in  platoons  j  but  fatal  experience  taught  us 
that  they  knew  not  how  to  fight.  While  your  rmlitia 
were  frequently  crowned  with  fuccefs,  thefe  regulars 
were  defeated  or  baffled  for  three  years  fucceffively,  in 
every  part  of  the  Continent.  At  length,  indeed,  after 
repeated  lofTes  and  difgraces,  they  became  excellent 
troops,  but  not  until  they  had  abfolutely  forgotten  every 
thing  which,  we  are  allured,  muft  render  regulars  quite 
irrefiflible.  The  corps  fent  from  this  country,  under 
General  Monkton,  was,  I  believe,  for  its  number,  one 
cf  the  beft  armies  that  ever  was  led  to  conqueft  •,  and  yet, 
if  I  have  been  rightly  informed,  there  was  not  a  fmgle 
regiment  of  them  that  could  go  through  the  manual  ex- 
ercife,  or,  at  beft,  they  performed  it  moft  wretchedly. 
It  is  likewife  faid,  that  when,  after  their  glorious  and 
rapid  conqueft  of  Martinico,  they  were  joined  by  the 
fpruce  regiments  from  Europe,  fuch  was  their  uncouth 
appearance,  that  they  were  fcarce  honoured  with  the  ti- 
tle of  foldiers  by  thofe  gentlemen.  Upon  the  whole, 
it  is  mod  certain  that  men  may  be  fmartly  dreffed,  keep 
their  arms  bright,  be  called  regulars,  be  expert  in  all  the 
anticks  of  a  review,  and  yet  be  very  unfit  for  real  action. 
It  is  equally  certain,  that  a  militia,  by  confining  them- 
felves  to  eflcntials,  by  a  fimplificatiori  of  the  necellary 
manoeuvres,  may  become,  in  a  very  few  months,  a  moft 
formidable  infantry.  The  yeomanry  of  America  have, 
befules,  infinite  advantages  over  the  peafantry  of  other 
countries  ;  they  are  accuftomed  from  their  infancy  to 
fire  arms  ;  they  are  expert  in  the  ufe  of  them  ;  whereas 
the  lower  and  middle  people  of  England,  are,  by  the  ty- 
ranny of  certain  laws,  almoit  as  ignorant  in  the  ufe  of 
a  mufket,  as  they  are' of  the  ancient  catapulta.  The 
A  ruricans  are  likewife,  to  a  man,  fkilful  in  the  manage- 
m  ;nt  of  the  inllruments  neceflary  for  all  military  works, 
fuch  as  fpades,  pick-axes,  hatchets,  &c.  Taking,  there - 
t  fore,  all  circumftances  into  confederation,  there  will  be 
no  raihnefs  in  affirming,  that  this  continent  may  have 
formed  for  at'.lion,  in  three  or  four  months,  one  hundred 
thoufand  infantry  ;  for  as  to  the  aflcrtion  of  our  friendly 

K  .  adv 


(     9s     ) 

•icvifer,  that  ns  mere 'then  forty  thwjethd '  auld dfl 
vantage,  IccnicS-i  I  do  not  underftand  it,  nor  do. 
j.  believe,  underftand  it  himielf.  If  he  means,  that  iixty" 
thoufand  men  cannot  he  ranged  in  a  field,  eapable  of' 
Containing  only  forty  thoufand,  we  fhall  all  agree  with 
him  ;  but  how,  in  the  operation  of  a  war,  upon  a  valt 
continent,  double  this  number  fhould  be  a  difadvantage, 
I  can  have  no  conception 

Let  one  fimple  general  plan  be  adopted  for  the  forma- 
tion and  fubdivifion  of  your  battalions  ;  let  them  be  in-. 
flruc~ted  only  in  fo  much   of  the  manual  cxerciie  as  to 
prevent  confufion,  and  accidents  in  loading  and  firing  ; 
let  them  be  taught  to  form,  to  retreat,  to  advance,  to 
change  their  front,  to  rally  by  their  colours  j  let  them  be 
taught  to  reduce  themfelves  from  a  line  of  lire  to  a  line 
cf  imprefiion,  that  is,  from  two  deep  to  four,  fix,  or 
This  is  all  fo  eafy  and  fimple,  that  it  may  be  ac? 
d  in  three  months.     Let  fome  plan  of  this  fort  he 
ted,  I  fay,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that,  in  the  time 
I  hcive  ascribed,  you  may  have  an  army  on  foot  of  Seven- 
ty, eighty,  or  an  hundred  thoufand  men,  equal  to  all  the 
Services  of  warj 

Should  this  be  admitted,  it  will  be  dill  objected  that 
you  Lave  no  able  officers  to  conduct  you.  I  do  not  know 
3  ou  have,  but  is  it  certain  that  thofe  fent  to  dragoon 
you  have  better  ?  I  have  taken  fome  pains  to  inform 
myielf  what  methods  thefe  gentlemen,  fa  id  to  be  bred  to 
irms,  take  to  qualify  themfelves  in  a  fupevior  degree  for 
the  profeliion.  What  is  their  rotine  of  inftruclion  ?  Do 
they  read  much  ?  I  am  afiured  that  they  do  not.  From 
books  alone  the  theory  cf  war  can  be  acquired,  and  the 
Englifh  fervice,  in  times  of  peace,  affords  them  no  prac- 
tical lelfons  !  for  mounting  guard  once  or  twice  a  week,  - 
or  the  preparation  for  the  review  of  a  fingle  regiment, 
can  never  be  cfteemed  as  fuch.* 

Another 

*It  i  s  much  to  be  lamented, that  the  per.llemen  of  the  army  do  not 
ippjy  more  of  the  many  lelfure  hours  they  have  upon  tiieir  hands,  to 
reading.  The -majority  of  them  are  of  a  generous  dilpofition,  which  did 

they 


(     99     ) 

Another  circumftance,  Americans,  may  be  added  for 
your  comfort ;   it  lias  been  allowed  by  fora :  of  the  mon. 
lid  of"  the  regulars  themfelves,  that  during  the  laft 
upon  this  continent,  y>  n,  the  provin- 

omcers,  were  in  general  more  understanding  and 
ie  than  their  own  or  the  fame  rank.    But  - 
ry  of  tin:  civil  war  in  the  year  16*41,  fur n vines  us  with 
the  ftrongcfh  inilances,  that  excellent  blEcera  n:. 
foon  formed  from  country  gentlemen,  citiz  'us,  [3x1 
and  farmers.     The  parliament's  army,  01  as  out  pi 
writer  would  ca)l  them,  the  rebellious 
chiefly  compofed  of  this  dais  of  men.    In  the  begin 
of  this  war,  they  were   tr    .      I   with  the  fame  afft        I 
contempt,  and  almoft  in  th^  fame  opprobrious  terms  as 
you,  the  p  lople  of  America,  trc  by  youv  friendly  and 
decent  advifer. 

Whoever  would  infer  from  the  tenor  of  thefe  papers, 
that  the  writer  is  defirous  of  precipitating^  br  1 
with  indifference  upon  the  calamities  >. '  .t  civil  war, 
him  great  iujuftice.  He  confiders  them  with  all  the 
rcr  natural  to  a  feeling  man  and  hone  it  citizen.     He 
execvates  the  memory  of  thofe  men,  to  whom  they  may 
be  juitly  attributed  ;  but  he  is  perfuaded  that  they  n 

originated, 

they  cultivate,  by  convening  w;th  th"  $*t':at  hilroriana  arul  oaten  of 

antiquity,  and  the  more  liberal  political  writers  of  our  own  country,  a 

(binding  army  would  r*>  foir.ethi  ng  lefe  an  object  of  jealoofy  to  all  vir- 

tuom  citizens.  'Wfc  might  per'  n,  tpfiead  of  being  .-<d  1 

§nd  partisans  of  -the  ^refent  mi  :  eck  upon  their  wi 

am  inclined  t6  think  that  few,  ot  none,  of  the  offi 

trended  la  inn  -  >  the  -  merit  oi  the  ;  refent  cantcfi 

m>-  conjure  th<    i,  for  o:,^.  tr  .  .-.I  mmcftdly  ti.e  whi  '■■ 

iefs;  afterwards  to  lay  their  h,..-.».s  upon  their  r.*..rt-,  and  :. . 

jtehether  the  people  of  America  in  genera*  and  of  Bofton  in  part 

are  moil  finned  againft,  or  (inning? 

No-./  I  atv.  u  abject  ot"  the  offi  I       army,  I  fake  the 

Opportunity  of  mentioning,  with  the  refpe&  dui  to  him,  one  geatl 

1  rank  arnonj  them.     H  ,  conduct  while   in 

wa?  fo  liberal,  and  his  letter;  Quoted  in  the  Hoafe  of  Commons, 
fo  fair,  candid  and  friendly  to  the  C  1    entitled  to  the 

•than'-.1-         v  :.     He  is  indeed  of  a  c<  owes  not  only  its 

nrofperity,  but  its  exifteuce,        1  tiples,  which  at 

America. 


(     i°°     ) 

originated,  at  lead  in  dates  of  any  considerable  extent,  in 
the  turbulent  difpofitions  of  the  people,  nor  in  the  arts  of 
demagogues,  but  in  the  oppreflion  of  their  rulers,  in  the 
wantonnefs,  folly,  pride,  or  avarice  of  kings,  minifters, 
or  governors.  The  Griilers  of  Switzerland,  the  Gran 
vels  of  Holland,  the  Lauds  and  Staffbrds  of  England,  wer 
the  undoubted  authors  of  the  tragedies,  adled  in  th 
xefpe&ive  countries  ;  and  if  this  continent  lhould  be  ftai 
ed  with  the  blood  of  a  fingle  citizen,  it  can  never 
charged  to  the  unreafonable  pretenfions  of  the  peopl 
but  to  the  Barnards,  Hutchinlons,  and  fome  other  tr 
tors  of  a  fimilar  ftamp. 

He  is  convinced,  that  being  prepared  for  a  civil  w; 
is  the  furefl  means  of  preventing  it  j  that  to  keep  the 
fword  of  your  enemies  in  their  fcabbards,  you  muft  whet 
your  own.  He  is  convinced,  that  remonftrances,  peti- 
tions, prayers,  and  fupplications,  will  make  no  impref- 
f:on  on  our  callous  court,  and  abandoned  parliament. 
England,  Ireland,  America,  even  Guernfey,  Jerfey,  and 
Minorca,  are  witnefles  of  their  ineflicacy.  He  is  con- 
vinced, that  fear  alone  can  operate  ;  there  are  fymptoms 
that  it  already  begins  to  operate.  The  monfter,  Tyran- 
ny, begins  to  pant ;  prefs  her  now  with  ardour,  and  fhe 
is  down.  Already  the  miniftry  have  expreffed  in  their 
letter  an  inclination  to  make  fome  conceflions,  to  meet 
you  half-way,  which  I  fuppofe,  may  be  conftrued  thus, 
"  that  as  they  find  they  have  it  not  in  their  pov/er  to 
citablifh,  by  force,  the  defpotifm  which  they  aimed  at, 
they  fhail  be  very  well  fatisfied  if  you  will  juft  cede  ib 
much  of  your  rights  and  privileges  as  will  enable  them, 
by  extending  their  pecuniary  influence,  and  fapping 
your  virtue,  to  take  away  the  reft  at  their  leifure." 

There  now  remains,  people  of  America,  one  confidera- 
tion,  which,  however  it  may  be  taken,  I  think  it  my  du- 
ty to  offer.  Hiftory  tells  us,  .that  the  free  States  of 
Greece,  Thebes,  Sparta,  Athens,  and  Syracufe,  were 
all,  in  their  turns,  fubjugated  by  the  force  or  art  of  ty- 
rants. Thsy  almoft  all,  in  their  turns,  recovered  their 
liberty  and  deftroyed  their  tyrants.     The  firft  a£t,  upon 

the 


(      |0i      ) 

the  recovery  of  their  liberty,  was  to  demolifh  thofe 
badges  of  flavery,  citadels,  ftrong-holds,  and  military  te- 
nements ;  the  Switzers  did  the  fame  ;  the  people  of  En- 
gland, loft  in  corruption  and  lethargy  as  they  are,  could 
never  be  prevailed  upon  to  furTcr  barracks  amongft  them  ^ 
even  the  courtly  Blackftone  is  ftartled  at  the  idea.  No 
feparate  camps,  no  barracks,  no  inland  fortrefTes,  fays 
he,  fhould  be  allowed  ;  in  fa£t,  wherever  barracks  are, 
freedom  cannot  be  faid  to  exift,  or  fhe  exifts  fo  lamely, 
as  fcarcely  to  deferve  the  name. 

It  is  worthy  your  confideration,  Americans,  whether 
thefe  badges  mould  remain  or  no.  I  (hall  now  conclude, 
brave  citizens,  with  invoking  the  Almighty  God,  from 
whom  all  virtues  flow,  to  continue  you  in  that  fpirii  of 
unanimity  and  vigour  which  mull  infure  you  fuccefs,  and 
immortalize  you  through  all  ages,  as  the  champions  and 
patrons  of  the  human  race. 


TO   THE  GENTLEMEN   OF  THE   PROVINCIAL   CONGRESS. 
OF  VIRCi 

THE  addrefles  prefented  to  their  lieutenant  gover- 
nor by  the  Council,  and  eleven  polluted  mem- 
bers of  the  AfTembiy  of  New-York,  are,  to  every  fenfi- 
ble  thinking  American,  of  infinitely  a  more  alarming 
nature,  than  the  threats  of  the  miniiler,  the  hrutum  fid- 
men  of  the  king's  fpeech  (if  that  can  properiy  be  term- 
ed the  king's  fpeech)  which  the  minifler  has  publicly 
avowed  to  be  his  own  compofition,*  or  the  echoing  back 
this  fpeech  by  a  hireling  majority  of  the  peers  to  their 
pay-mafter ;  for  as  long  as  a  fpii  it  of  union  fubfifts 
through  this  continent;  and  as  long  as  the  people  at  home 
K  2  have 

*  The  affected  friends  to  Government  often  complain,  that  his  Ma- 
iefty  is  not  treated  with  the  refpect  dut  to  his  character  and  flation  ; 
but  it  appears  to  me,  that  a  minifter's  declaring,  in  ar.  open  fenate.that 
the  fpeech  from  the  throne  is  not  the  king's,  but  his  own,  is  going  be- 
yond difrefpecr  :  it  is  a  moft  outrageous  infuk  ;  it  is  reprefenting  his 
Majefty  as  a  mere  puppet,  that  fqueaks  jull  as  the  prompter  breathe*. 


(      K>2      ) 


fc 


have  reafon  to  think  that  this   fpirit  does  fubfift ;  thefc 
threats  of  the  miniiter,  although  vibrated  from  the  found- 
ing-beard of  the  throne,  and  the  echoing  it  back  by  a 
hired  chorus  of  peers,  muft  caft  more  ridicule  upon  thofe 
by  whom  they  are  uttered,  than   give  terror  to  thofe  at 
•v.-hom  they  are  levelled.     But  the  fuppofition  or  report 
of  any  defection  amongft  ourfelves,  is  a  matter  of  nicft 
ferious  concern  ;  it  behoves  you,  therefore,  gentlemen, 
it  behoves  every  Provincial  Congrefs  of  the  continent,  to 
iconfider  immediately  of  lbme  effectual  means  to  prevent 
.the  rhifchievous  conferences,  intended  by  thefe  aban- 
doned and  fenl'elefs  men.     Have  we  then  formed  a  ge- 
neral afibciation  of  our  provinces  ?     Have  we  pledged 
ourfelves  to  each  other,  to  our  pofterity,  to  mankind  ? 
Have  we  made  fo  great,  temporary  at  leaf!,  Sacrifices  in 
the  glorious  caufe  of  liberty  ?    Have  we  confounded  our 
enemies  by  a  ftrain  of  virtue,  fcarcely  credible  in  thefe 
modern  ages,  and  with  a  fpirit  of  harmony  that  lias  fur- 
pafl'ed  the  mod  fanguine  enpectation  ?     Have  we  atted 
this  noble  part  ?    And  (hall  the  council,  and  eleven  con- 
temptible Afiembly-men  of  New-York,  attempt  to  ren- 
cier  all  we  have  done  abortive  ?  Contemptible  in  all  ref- 
pe£ts,  in  numbers,  in  understanding,  in  knowledge,  and 
in  principles  !  For  what  other  tendency  can  their  addref- 
fes  to  their  lieutenant-governor  poflibly  have,  but  to  coun- 
teract  the  refolves  of  the  Congrefs,  and  render  every 
thing  you  have  done,  abortive  ?    Thefe  competitions  of 
pufillanimity,  abjeel  fervility,  and    difgufting  folly,  a- 
mount  fimply  to  this  :      That  the   uimojl  exertion  of  this 
united  continent,  confuting  of  half  a  million  of  fighting  men, 
can  have  no  effebl  ;   that  all  the  rtfzflance,  civil  or  military,, 
ivbkh   they  can   make,   muft  be  in  vain  ;   but   thai  redrefs 
alone  muft  he  fought,  and  can  he  exprcled  from  the  magna- 
nimity of  the  Bri/i/h  nation,  and  the  known  goodnefs  and 
virtue  of  the  King.     Gracious  Heaven  !  grant  us  pa- 
tience to  be  told,  that  we  are  to  expect  any  thing  from 
the  magnanimity  of  a  people  who,  for  twelve  years  fuc- 
cellivcly,  have  fufTered  thcmfelves  to  be  infulted,  difgra- 
ccd,  trampled  upon,  plundered,  and  batchered  with  im- 
punity ! 


(     103     ) 

punity !  Or  to  be  told,  that  we  are  to  look  up  to  the 
goodncfs  and  virtue  of  a  king,  who  for  the  fame  number 
of  years  has  been  influenced  to  make  inceiTant  war  upon 
the  property,  rights,  privileges,  laws, honour,  and  integri- 
ty of  his  people,  in  every  part  of  the  empire,  is  enough 
to  drive  moderation  itfclf  into  violence. 

But,  continue  thefe  admirable  fenators,  -what  open 
Jlill  a  furer  prefpeel  of  redrefs  is,  that  his  excellency  gover- 
nor Tryon  is  now  near  the  Throne  ,  fo  it  feems,  that  what 
the  petitions,  fupplications,rcmonitranccs  of  the  whole 
colonies,  of  the  city  of  London  of  the  great  commciical 
towns  of  the  leading  counties  of  England,  what  the  voice 
of  policy,  reafon,  juftice,  and  humanity,  could  not  e(lc6bv 
Colonel  Tryon's  being  in  England  will  accompliih. 

I  know  not  whether  this  Colonel  Tryon  is  a  man  of 
fo  extraordinary  talents,  eloquence,  and  influence,  as  to 
work  thefe  mighty  miracles  ;  I  never  undertlood  that  he 
was  :  but  I  am  fure,  if  he  has  common  fenfe,  and  any 
manly  feelings,  he  cannot  help  being  fo  me  what  difguft- 
ed,  at  this  ill-timed  impertinent  flattery  ;  and  that  he 
muft  conceive  the  greateft  contempt  tor  the  parafites 
who,  regardlefs  of  the  mod  important  concerns  oi  their 
country  and  humanity,  and  at  the  very  crifis  which  is  to 
determine  whether  themfelves  and  their  poflerity  are  to  be 
freemen  or  JIaves }  could  ftep  out  of  their  way  to  offer 
up  incenfe  to  an  unimportant  individual.  It  may  be  faid, 
this  is  all  declamation  ;  it  may  be  fo,  but  it  is  a  declama- 
tion which  an  honeft  zeal  in  the  public  caufe  has  forced 
me  into.  It  is  now  time,  gentlemen,  to  devife  fome  means 
of  putting  a  ftop  to  this  cancer  before  it  fpreads  to  any 
dangerous  degree.  You,  gentlemen,  of  Virginia,  and 
your  neighbours  of  Maryland,  have  perhaps  thefe  means 
in  your  hands.  I  would  propofe  then,  that  aftc?  a  fpi- 
ritedmanifeitoexpreffingyour  abhorrence  of  the  council,* 
,  and 

*  I  cannot  perfr.nnV  myfelftnat  the  eennci!  vrere  unanimous  in  this 
infamous  addrefs ;  t  pre  are  individuals  an-.oncft  rl  em  of  known  probi- 
ty, fenfe,  and  patriotifm.  But  thefe  gentlemen,  fo  :'ar  from  cbj^dling 
to  the  obligation  of  purging  themrelvcs  by  oath  of  having  any  (hare 
©i  the  guilt,  will  rejoice  in  the  opportunity  of  acquitting  themfelves. 


(     104     ) 

and  proftitute  eleven  of  New-York  you  mould  pre 
ceed  to  punifh  the  individuals  of  this  wicked  junto  wl 
are  in  your  power.  Some  of  them  have  great  cor 
tracts  for  wheat  and  corn  in  thefe  provinces,  from  Nor 
folk,  Alexandria,  Chefter,  Baltimore,  and  other  part 
They  export  prodigious  quantities,  and  enrich  themfelvi 
confiderably  by  this  commerce.  I  would  propofe  that 
all  commerce  with  thefe  affaifins  fhould  be  laid  immedi- 
ately under  an  interdict:  ;  that  not  a  fingle  fhip  belong- 
ing to  a  counfellor  of  New-York,  unlefs  he  purges  him- 
felf  by  oath  from  having  contented  to  the  addrefs,  or  of 
one  of  the  proftitute  eleven,  mould  be  furnifhed  with  a 
freight  within  the  capes  Henry  or  Charles  ;  and  I  have 
that  opinion  of  the  virtue  of  thefe  provinces,  to  think 
your  injunctions  would  be  efficacious.  But  here  I  muft 
beg  leave  to  paufe  for  an  inftant,  and  afk  pardon  of  the 
public  for  my  apparent  prefumption.  An  individual 
who  offers  his  thoughts  to  fo  refpectable  a  body,  as  a 
Congrefs,  delegated  by  the  voice  of  a  whole  people,  has 
certainly  the  air  of  prefumption.  It  is  in  fome  meafure 
attributing  to  himfelf  fuperior  lights  and  abilities  ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  it  is  allowed,  that  an  individual  has 
frequently  been  fortunate  enough  to  chalk  out  lines  in 
which  the  moft  fagacious  and  refpectable  bodies  have 
not  difdained  to  walk.  If  his  propofals,  or  hints,  be 
weak  and  abfurd,  they  will  naturally  be  laughed  at ;  but 
if  his  intentions  be  honeft,  the  confcioufnels  of  having 
acted  from  motives  of  rectitude  and  the  love  of  his  coun- 
try, will  fufficiently  compenfate  for  any  ridicule  which 
his  fchemes  can  incur.  •  I  would  therefore  wifh,  that 
what  I  offer  fhould  rather  be  underftood  as  hints  than 
advice.  If  thefe  hints  are  attended  to,  I  fhall  reap  no 
perfonal  glory  ;  if  they  are  defpifed,  I  fhall  be  no  per- 
gonal fufferer,  as  my  name  will  probably  never  be  known. 
But  to  proceed  with  my  propofals,  or  hints,  in  which 
latter  light  I  am  moft  defirous  they  fhould  be  confidered, 
I  could  wifh,  to  the  above-mentioned  manifefto,  was 
fubjoined  the  warmeft  letter  of  thanks  to  the  virtuous 
ten  of  the  Affembly  of  New-York,  for  their  endeavours 

to 


(     «o5     ) 

i  to  Mem  the  profligacy  and  wickednefs  of  the  majority, 
and  for  the  noble  part  they  have  acted  as  true  Ameri- 
cans and  excellent  citizens  ;  that  another  addrcfs,  no 
lefs  warm,  (hould  be  prefented  to  the  gentlemen  and 
people  of  New-York  at  large,  exprefling  your  opinion 
of  their  honefty  and  public  fpirit,  and  lamenting  their 
peculiar  circumftances  ;  which  to  thofe  who  are  ftran- 
gers  to  thefe  circumftances,  may  inculcate  a  belief  that 
they  alone  are  exceptions  to  the  character  of  patriotifm, 
which  the  Americans  are  now  indifputably  entitled  to. 
But  above  all,  I  could  wifh  that  it  were  recommended 
to  every  province  of  the  continent,  more  particularly  to 
their  immediate  neighbours  of  Pennfylvania,  the  Jerfies, 
and  Connecticut,  not  to  fufferone  of  this  depraved  un- 
decemvirate  to  fet  his  foot  on  their  territories,  until  he 
invokes  the  forgivenefs  of  his  country,  and  folerr.nly  en- 
gages, that  his  future  life  fhall  be  employed  in  making 
compenfation  for  his  prefent  conduct,  of  fo  obvioully  a 
mifchievous  tendency.  The  epithets  proftitute,  profli- 
gate, &c.  which  I  have  fo  freely  made  ufe  of,  may  pro- 
bably appear  illiberal  ;  but  when  we  confider  the  mif- 
chievous confequences  which  the  conduct  of  thefe  Coun- 
cil and  Aflembly-men  of  New-York  are  fraught  with, 
it  muft  be  allowed,  that  no  language  can  furniin  oppro- 
brious terms  adequate  to  their  dclinqcncy.  I  am  far 
indeed  from  apprehending  that  their  weight  and  influ- 
ence are  fulBcient  to  fhake  tkft  virtue  of  the  continent, 
or  occafion  any  defection.  I  do  not  believe  that  an  in- 
dividual, much  lefs  a  fct  of  men,  will  be  found  who 
will  be  Hup  id  and  wicked  enough  to  tread  in  their  fteps  ; 
the  infamous  ***  of  Philadelphia,  and  a  fmall  perverfe  dri- 
velling knot  of  Quakers,  who  form  his  Senate  and  Court, 
excepted. 

This  Worthy  fixed  his  refidence  at  New-York,  with 
theprofefTed  intention  of  working,  with  fome  congenial 
fpirits  in  that  city,  towards  the  ruin  of  the  whole  fabric 
which  the  Congrefs  had  been  raifing.  Indeed,  it  is  moft 
probable  that  he  was  the  principal  compiler,  if  not  the 
dictator,  ofthefc  wretched  addreffes.  The^ftyle  and  fen- 

timents 


f     fo6  J 

tfments  arc  Certainly  his :  the  fame  milt,  fog,  and  dark-; 
iftefej  which  overcaft  all  his  productions,  envelope 
address;  and  the  fame  narrow,  c  litics,  Iowl 

,   jnancy,  and  treachery,  difcov  irougfc 

tiic  miif,  ..  >bfcurity  of  all  his  worka  and  actions^ 

betray  t^cinfclvcs  in  theft  addreffes. 

It  may  now  be  alked,  as  I  have  reprefented  the  cha- 
racter, weight  and  credit  of  thefe  eleven  Afjembly-men, 
of  the  majority  of  the  Council  of  New-York,  and  thcir 
Philadelphia!!  coadjutor,  or,  more  properly,  dictator,  in 
(c  defpicable  a  light,  wherefore  fhould  I  found.the  alarm  ? 
Vvrhat  mifchiefs  can  pofftbly  refuk  from  the  utmoft  fuch 
tnen  can  do  ?  I  anfv/er,  that  although  they  can  neither 
cccafion  any  defection,  nor  prefent  the  leaf!  prefpeft  of 
(ttccefs  to  the  enemies  of  America  and  liberty,  they  can 
do  very  confiderable  mifchief ;  they  can  procraltinate  the 
ifiue  j  they  can,  and  mod  probably  will,  prolong  the  in- 
comeniencies  which  we  muft,  more  or  iefs,  feel  during 
the  conteil.  There  is  nothing  more  certain  than  that 
the  mmifiry  have  proceeded  to  the  enormous  lengths  they 
have  done  upon  the  prefumption,  that  the  attacks  upon 
Bcftcn  wouid  not  have  been  taken  up  by  the  other  pro- 
vinces as  the  caufe  of  the  whole.*  There  is,  therefore, 
nothing  more  certain,  than  that  the  appearance  of  our 
firmnefs  and  unanimity,  muft  faon  have  overthrown  them, 
or  forced  them  into  a  total  change  of  meafures  i  but 
the  leaft  appearance,  that  ♦lis  firmnefs  and  unanimity  no 
longer  fubfifts,  wi!l  encourage  them  to  peril  ft,  and  will 
enable  them  to  keep  their  ground  fome  time  longer.  Thefe 
addrefies"  of  New-York  will  give  this  appearance  ;  fo 
that  whatever  the  gentleman,  the  merchants,  the  tradef- 
m :.:,  the  meehanicks,  and  the  people  of  America  at  large, 
(lifter  from  the  prolongation  of  the  conteft,  whatever  fhall 
be  added  to  the  diftrcfies  and  burthen  of  the  people  at 
home,  whatever  fhall  further  impair  the  commerce, 
flrength,  credit,  and  reputation  of  the  mother  country, 

and 

*  That  this  is  the  principle  they  ?.<5ted  upon,  is  now   put  out  of  dif- 
put-c  by  the  conduct  oi  Lord  North  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  ;m.. 
fy cethes  Uncdlcd  to  him* 


(     107     ) 

and  bring  her  fill!  nearer  to  total  bankruptcy  and  ruin  ; 
whatever  fhall  farther  alienate  the  affections  of  the  child 
from  the  parent,  may  juftly  be  imputed  to  this  abjeft 
Council  and  eleven  proititute  Ailcmbly-men  of  New- 
ark, 


on  a  famous  trial  in  the  court  of  common  pleas', 
between  general  mosttn,  governor  of 

MINORCA,  AND  AN  INHABITANT  OF 
THAT  ISLAND. 

IT  is  a  maxim  with  the  Emperors  of  China,  when  the 
people  of  any  of  their  provinces  offer  up  complaints 
of  their  governors,  immediately  to  recal  them,  to  hear 
the  charges  bnaight  againft  them,  and,  if  they  are  found 
guilty  topunifh  them  in  proportion   to  their  delinquen- 
cy ;  and  tuch  is  the  parental  complacency  of  thofe  eaft- 
ern  monarchy  for  their  fubjtets,  that   even   when   the 
grievances  complained  of,prove  ill-founded,  the  governor 
who  has  had  the  misfortune,  though  innocently,  to  incur 
the  ill-  opinion  of  the  people,  is  never   more   empl< 
In  the  fame  capacity,  over  that  or  any  other  prov 
his  having  been  Jufpecled  of  mal-adminiftration  being 
deemed  a  total  difqualification.  Though  thejuiliee  of  this 
maxim  may  not  be  univerfally  admitted,  it  certainly  is  a 
wile  one,   as  it  is  founded  on  a  refpetl  and  deference  of 
the  public  wifhes ;  to  which  when  it  czn  be  done  com- 
patibly  with  the  public  fafety,  the  prince  ought  to  pay 
the  greateft  regard.     But,  how  different  has  been   the 
rule  of  conduct  obferved  through  the  whole  prefent 
reign  !  Does  agovernof  render  himfelf  completelyodious 
to  the  people  over  whom  he  is  fet  to  prefide  ?- — he  is  that 
initant  adopted  a  favourite  at  court.    The  infamous  Ber- 
nard, who  was  not  only  arraigned,  but  Hands  convicted, 
in  the  opinion  of  all  mankind,  of  one  continual  feries  of 
mifreprelentalion,  faliehoods,  treachery,   and  every  {pz- 
cies  of  trealbn  to  the  people  of  his  government,  was  con- 
tinued untii  the  Lit  poiiible  moment ;  and,  when  recal- 
led. 


(     i©8     ) 


Jed,  fo'far  from  meeting  with  the  cenfures  he  had  merit 
ed,  that  he  was  exalted  to  the  rank  of  a  baronet,  and  h 
an  ample  provifion  made  for  him  in  Ireland.  And  this 
public  reward  for  delinquency  has  had  the  effect  which 
mull  naturally  be  expelled  ;  for  his  fucceflbr  in  office, 
it  is  reported,  pitches  many  bars  beyond  him  in  perfidy 
and  wickednefs,  for  which  he  probably  expects  a*i  Iriflv 
peerage.  And,  to  fay  the  truth,  if  our  court  aft^con- 
fiftently  with  itfelf,  they  are  obliged  as  his  merits  are  flill 
greater,  to  confer  on  him  a  higher  title,  and  a  more  am- 
ple provifion  than  on  the  baronet,  his  predeceflbr. 

If  we  turn  our  eyes  towards  Ireland,  the    decency 
and  kindnefs  exhibited  by  the  court  for  that  people  is 
flill  more  ftriking.     The  late  viceroy,  by  talents  peculiar 
to  himfelf,  almoft  on  his  firft  landing,  incurred  the  con- 
tempt and  deteftation  of  the  whole  kingdom,  to  a  man. 
This  was  a  fufficient,  and,  apparently,  the  only  motive 
cf  his  being  continued  for  a  long  five  years  in  his  ftation  ; 
for,  what  other  motive  can  be   conjectured  •,  As  it  is 
agreed,  on  all  hands,  that  even  the  wretched  expedients 
from  day  to  day,  little  jobs  and  larcenies,  as  well  as  th' 
more  fubftantialplundering,called,in  the  cant  of  ourcour 
tiers,  bufinefs  of  government,  were  never  fo  miferabl 
bungled  through  as  by  this  ridiculous  mock-majefty.  A 
length,  however,  a  fucceflbr  is  appointed:  at  length 
under  the  protection  of  the  whole  military,  he  is  with 
drawn  from  the  jull  refentment  of  the  people  whom  h 
had  oppreffed,  beggared,  and  infulted  •,  and  at  length 
thus  circumflanced,  he  is  prefented  to  his  fovereign,  b 
whom  he  is  careffed,  fmiled  upon,   and  preferred   in 
diftinguifhed  a  manner,  that  a  ftranger  who  had  bee 
prefcnt,  would  have  been  apt  to  imagine  him  return 
loaded  with  the  fpoils  of  fome  ancient  inveterate  ene 
of  his  country,  and  not  with  the  injuries  and  execration 
of  a  whole  nation  of  loyal  and  affectionate  fubjects. 

Such  has  been  the  mode  of  treating  the  grievances  of 
our  natural  brethren  of  Ireland  and  the  Maflachufett9- 
Bay,  and  a  (till  more  comfortable  profpect  is  opened  to 
our  fellow  fubjects  who  are  not  of  a  Britifh  extraction.' 

The 


s 


(     ™9    ) 

The  Canadians,  the  inhabitants  of  the  ceded  Iflands,  and 
of  Minorca  •,    thefe  people  are  told,  that  if  their  property 
is  invaded,  or  their    perfans   infulted,  they   are  to  leek  - 
redrefs  from  the  King  and  Council.     Are  fome  late  oc- 
currences calculated   to  give  them  Confidence  in  I 
from  when  they  are  to  fcek  redrefe  ?  Let  us,  wit 
exaggeration  or   perverfion,  (late   the  General 

Mottyn  and  Mr.  Fabrigas.  General  Ivioilyn  is  accufed 
by  Fabrigas  of  violently  and  illegally  throwing  him  into 
prifon,  and  afterwards  banifhing  him  the  ifland,  for 
no  other  crime  than  petitioning  againft  a  regulation 
which  he  conceived  to  be  prejudicial  and  grievous.  Th'e 
caufc  is  tried  :  the  allegation  not  '  ily  proves  j u ft  in  its 
full  extent,  but  aggravated  with  a  variety  of  wanton* 
cruel  circumftances. — Fabrigas,  a  fubftantial  farmer,  ii 
thrown  into  the  dungeon  appropriated  to  fellqns  convict - 
ed  of  capital  crimes  ;  the  fentinels  received  drift  orders 
jaot  to  allow  the  lead  refrefriment  to  be  coveyed  to  him  ; 
even  the  air-ho  rded,  left  fome  of  his  children  or 

friends  fhould  drop  a  loaf  ol~  bread  or  ?.  bunch   of  grapes. 
Having  lain  in  tliii  niferable  dungeon  for  feme  < 
ngth,  hand-cu  ,   drawn  i 

and,  by  the  fimple  fiat  of  tins  fmnrt,  lively  miniature  of 
God's  vicegerent  on  earth,  John  Moftyne,  Efq.  hurried 
on  board  a  Ihip  *  prepared  for  the  purpofe,  and  inrerdicl- 
cd  from  the  fire  and  water  of  his  native  Hand,  until  it 
fliould  pleafe  the  faid  little,  mighty  John  Moftyne,  JLfq. 
tofufpend  tire  interdict.  And  it  was  thought  a  wonder- 
ful act  of  clemency,  not  only  by  his  vifier.  tire  nu 
curate,  judicious,  liberal,  vei  but  by. 

another  illuftri  >us  member  of  the  divan,  in  thus  commu- 
ting me  bow-liring  or  hatchet  into  the  gentle  fentence  of 

L  banilh- 

*  He  was  hanifhed  for  a  year  to  Carthagena,  His  wife,  as  the} 
carrying  him  or.  b  red  on  the  beach  with  a  matrafs,  I 

guard  was  ordered  to  drive  her  away  with  their  bayonets  ;  this  conveni- 
ence of  a  matrafs  being  thou;  n  e. 

etary.   This  was  aiked  in  court,  w1  other  i 

a  part  of  the  governor's  privilege  to  behead   or  hang  ?  ar.d  replied  in 

r..'iy,  he  believed  it  was^     The  chief  engineer,  efteemed  &;.,u;iof 
fome  feme  and  learning,  feeiued  to  be  c:  tfac  fame  opinion. 


(    i*o   ) 

banifhment  j  for  tfcefe  worthy  minifters  gave  it  as  their 
opinion,  openly  in  an  Englifh  court,  that  ftrangling  and. 
beheading  was  a  part  of  his  Highnefs's  prerogative.  But 
ihould  beg  pardon  for  attempting  to  be  ludicrous  upon 
an  occafion  lb  very  ferious,  not  indeed  becaufe  a  man  of 
Mr.  Moftyn's  ftamp,  a  contemner,  and,  as  far  as  a  very 
little  wit  will  enable  him,  a  ridicular  of  all  pubic  fpirit 
and  fentiment,  a  deferter  of  his  noble  friend  and  patron,"}: 
on  the  firfl:  appearance  that  he  no  longer  poffeffed  the 
power  of  ferving  him  farther. 

That  a  man  of  this  ltamp  fhould  be  intoxicated  with 
authority,  and  run  into  violence  and  abfurdity,  when  re- 
moved from  immediate  checks,  is  not  to  be  wondered 
at,  nor  that  fuch  a  governor  fhould  be  furnifhed  with  a 
dull  mercenary  fecretary,  ready  to  execute  the  mandates 
oi  his  principal,  be  they  ever  fo  iniquitous  and  prepofte- 
rous  ;  but  that  there  fhould  be  found  a  fingle  officer  of 
rank,  of  no  defpicable  parts,  and  fome  reading,  to  encou- 
rage, advife  and  juitify  meafures  fo  repugnant  to  the  fpi- 
rit of  our  conftitution  and  the  rights  of  mankind,  is  afto- 
nifhing,  and  in  the  higheft  degree  alarming  :  for,  if  fuch 
notions  become  fafhionable  amongft  the  military,  our 
laws  are  but  a  parapet  of  paperjwhichthefword  is  ready  to 
cut /through  on  the  firft  hint  from  a  dictator.  The  idea, 
I  fay  of  fuch  principles  becoming  fafhionable  in  the  ar- 
my, muff,  give  the  moll  ferious  alarm  to  every  individu- 
al who  does  not  wilh  annihilation  to  the  prefent  liber- 
ties of  thefe  iflands,  and  enflavement  to  their  poiterity. 
But  what  follows,  is  more  particularly  a  matter  of  melan- 
choly concern  to  our  fellow  fubje&s,  the  colonifls  of 
America,  the  Canadians  and  the  people  of  Minorca. 
They  are,  it  feems,  if  aggrieved,  to  feek  redrefs  from  the 
king  and  council  ;  but  if  they  have  reafon  to  think  that 
their  redrefTers  will  become  partifans  of  thofe  who  op- 
prefs  them,  what  mult  be  the  fituation  of  their  minds  i 
Will  they  not    naturally  defpair,  and  refign  themfelves 

paliively 

t  Lord  Rockingham  ;  to  whom  Mr.  Moftyn  owed  all  this  great  pre- 
fj    merits ;  he  oppofed  his  patron  when  miniiier.  hecauie   lie  knew  it 
del  pletife  the  cabinet. 


(  III  ) 

ftaffively  to  the  hand  of  power,  or  bravely  attempt  to  re- 
tlreis  themfelves  ?  To  one  of  thefe  alternatives,  a  circum- 
ftance  immediately  fubfequent  to  Mr.  Meftyn's  trial, 
mull  tend  to  reduce  theiti.  Reeking  with  the  infamy 
of  being  convicted  by  an  hone  it  jury  of  his  country,  he 
(I  ired  to  prefent  himfelf  at  the  levee  of  her  firft  magiftrair-, 
where  he,  who  is  the  head,  and  in  fa£fc  creates  and  u-r  ■ 
creates  this  court  from  which  redrefs  and  equity  are  to 
flow,  he,  who  ihould  eoniider  himfelf  as  the  corrector  of 
abides,  and  ave  wrongs,  conid  attempt  to  be  face- 

ouson  the  occaiion.  Well,  General,  fays  the  King,  fo 
you  have  been  caft  •,  and  wlio  were  the  council  em- 
ployed by  your  doughty  adve'rfary  ?  The  General,  a  ve- 
teran courtier,  long  accuftomed  to  royal  Waggery,  fmartly 
replied,  the  learned  ferjeant  Glynn,  andthe  profound 
duke  of  Richmond.  This  was  prodigioully  witty,  that 
the  whole  circle,  lords  of  the  bed-chamber,  maids  of  ho- 
nour, and  privy  council,  all  burft  into  a  loud  lav: 

This  may  be  a  very  excellent  joke  at  St.  James's  ;  but 
I  can  aflure  Saint  James's,  that  in  other  places  it  favours 
but  of  fhallow  wit,  and  that  it  only  ferves  as  a  proof,  for 
which  there  was  nooccafion,  of  the  weakno.fs  of  the  heads, 
and  corruption  of  the  hearts,  within  thole  walls.  And 
I  can  further  aflure  them,  that  did  fuch  noblemen,  and 
fuch  lawyers,  as  the  duke  of  Richmond,  and  ferjeant 
Glynn,  form  the  circle  of  the  drawing  room,  it  would 
be  more  for  the  honour  of  his  Majefly,  and  the  fati 
tion  and  fafety  of  the  nation,  than  one  compofed  of  {he 
Grafton's,  Sandwiches,  Nortons,  and  MVedderburnes. 


A  SHORT  HISTORY    OF    THE    TREATMENT    OF    MAJOR 

GENERAL  C0NIVA2',  LATE  IN  THE  SERVICE. 

OF  AMERICA. 


o 


Philadelphia)  December  3,   1778. 

N  Monday  the  23d  of  November  laft,  the  honoura- 
ble Major  General  Conway  fet  cut  from  this  > 

on 


*  It  is  to  be  ebferved,  that  the  Treafui?  p  ,  n"s   da- 


(    M*    ) 

on  his  return  to  France.  The  hiftory  of  the  treatment 
this  gentleman  had  received,  is  fo  Angular  that  it  muft 
make  a  figure  in  the  anecdotes  of  mankind.  He  wal 
born  in  Ireland,  but  at  the  age  of  fix  was  carried  into 
France  ;  wa>  bred  up  ffomhis  infancy  to  the  profeihon  of 
arms  ;  and,  it  is  univerfally  allowed,  by  the  gentlemen 
of  the  nation,  that  he  has,  in  their  fervicc,  the  reputation 
of  being  w!i3t  is  (tiled  tin  tres  brave  major  d'ififafiterie, 
which  is  no  fmall  character.  It  implies,  if  I  comprehend 
the  term  right,  a  man  poiTeiTed  of  all  the  requifite  quali- 
ties to  fill  the  duties  of  a  general  officer  in  the  fecondary 
line,  but  by  no  means  ranks  him  among  thofe  favoured 
mortals  to  whom  it  has  pleafed  Cod  to  give  fo  large  a 
portion  of  the  ethereal  fpirit,  as  to  render  reading,  theo- 
ry and  practice  unneceflary  ;  but  with  the  fpe£tacle  of 
this  phenomena  Heaven  entertains  the  earth  but  very 
fcldom  ;  Greece,  as  hiflorians  report,  had,  but  one  fi. 
Rome  none  ;  England  and  France,  only  one  each.-— 
As  to  this  hemifphere,  I  fhallbe  fdent  on  the  fubje£t,  left 
I  fliould  be  fufpedted  of  not  being  ferious.  But  be  this 
as  it  may,  it  is  pad  doubt  that  General  Conway  is  a  man 
of  excellent  underftanding,  quick  and  penetrating,  that 
he  has  (cen.  much  fervice,  has  read  a  great  deal,  and  di- 
I  well  what  he  has  read.  It  is  not  lefs  certain, 
he  embarked,  with  the  warmeft  zeal,  for  the  great 
American  Caufe,  and  it  has  never  been  infmuated,  un- 
lefs  by  thofe  who  hare  the  talent  of  confounding  caufes, 
thai  his  zeal  has  diminifhed.  His  recompence  has  been, 
"What  ?  he  has  lofc  his  commiflion  ;  he  has  been  refilled 
the  common  certificate,  which  every  officer  receives  at 
the  expiration  of  his  fervices,  unlets  his  delinquencies 
have  been  very  fubftantial  indeed.  And  for  what  crime 

B 


at 

"I 

i 


'■*  Alexander  ;  Henry  th?  Fifth  ;  and  the  Prince  of  Cende.     It  may 
beJitp  /hether  thefe  heroes  were  indehted  to   ti. 

aven  alone  for  their  gloiie*.     Alexander   ferved  l'ome  campaigns 

bad  Ariftotle  for  his  mafter.     Henry,  before  he 

imfelfin  the  civil  wars   againft  the   houfe' 

pi  Northumberland,  and,  if  I  recollect  right;   commanded  in   fome  ex- 

pedition  againft  the  Wclfh  ;  and  the  Prince  of  Conde  had  leflbns  from 

the  gi  .  inthefchoois  of  the  wars  in  the  Low  Country* 


(     "3     ) 

To(  ncm<o  by  any  law,  or  the  mod  drained  conftru&ion 
that  can  be  put  on  any  law  ;  the  reafons  given  are  fo  far 
from  being  fubdantial,  tliat  they  really  ought  to  refletfc 
honour  on  his  character.  It  feems  he  has  been  accufed  of 
writing  a  letter  to  a  confidential  friend,  communicating 
an  opinion  that  the  commander  in  chief  was  not  equal  to 
the  great  taflc  he  was  charged  with.  Is  this  a  crime  ?  The 
contrary.  If  it  was  really  his  opinion,  it  was  decent,  il 
was  honed,  it  was  laudable,  it  was  his  duty.  D> 
come  under  any  article  of  war  ?  I  may  venture  to  affirm, 
that  it  does  not.  God  help  the  community  that  fhould 
be  ab Curd  enough  to  frame  a  law  which  could  be  con- 
ftrued  into  fuch  a  fenfe  ;  fuch  a  community  could  not 
long  fubfift.  It  ever  has  been,  and  ever  ought  to  be, 
the  cuftom  in  all  armies,  not  absolutely  barbarians,  for 
the  officers  of  high  rank  minutely  to  canvafs  the  mcafures 
of  their  commander  in  chief ;  and  if  his  faults  or  mil- 
takes  appear  to  them  many  and  great,  to  communicate 
their  fen timents  to  each  other  ;  it  can  be  attended  with 
no  one  bad  conicquence  ;  for  if  the  criticifms  are  unjuft 
and  impertinent,  they  only  recoil  on  the  authors ;  and 
the  great  man  who  is  the  fubject  of  them,  ihines  with 
redoubled  luftre.  But  if  they  are  all  well  founded,  they 
tend  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  Prince  or  flate,  who,  from 
blind  prcjudice,or  fome  ftrange  infatuation,  may  have 
repofed  their  affairs  in  hands  ruinoufly  incapable.  Docs 
any  man  of  fenfe,  who  is  the  lea  ft  acquainted  with  hide* 
ry,  imagine  that  the  greateft  generals  the  world  ever  pro- 
duced have  efcaped  cenfure  ?  Hanibal,  Cxf.ir,  Turenc, 
Marlborough,  have  all  been  cenfured  ;  and  the  only 
method  they  thought  judicable  of  flopping  the  mouths  of 
their  cenfors,  was  by  a  frefh  exertion  of  their  talents,  and 
a  perpetual  feries  of  victories.  L.ujpons parler  ces  hableurs 
Vt:Jpert\  que  nous  leur  jernwoKS  hi  boucbe  a  f.rce  des  vic- 
tcircs,  was  the  anfwer  of  the  king  of  Prtiffia  to  thofe 
worthy  Gentlemen,  who  thought  to  recommend  them- 
felves  by  informing  him,  that  fome  of  hi?  mcafures  were 
made  very  free  with  by  certain  officers  in  his  army.  In- 
deed, it  is  obfervable,  that  in  proportion  to  the  capacity 
Li  cr 


(      **4     ) 

or  incapacity  of  the  commander  in  chief,  he  counte- 
nances or  difcountenances  the  whole  tribe  of  talebear- 
ers, informers,  and  pickthanks,  who  ever  have  been,  and 
ever  will  be,  the  bane  of  thofe  courts  and  armies  where 
they  are  encouraged,  or  even  fufFered.  Allowing  Ge- 
neral Wafhingtqjn  to  be  poffeiTed  of  all  the  virtues  and 
military  talents  of  Epaminondas,  and  this  is  certainly  al- 
lowing a  great  deal,  for  whether  from  our  modern  edu- 
cation, or  perhaps  the  modern  ftate  of  human  affairs,  it 
is  difficult  to  conceive  that  any  mortal  in  thefe  ages  fhould 
arrive  at  fuch  perfection ;  but  allowing  it  to  be  fo,  he 
would  ftill  remain  mortal,  and  of  courfe  fubje£r.  to  the 
infirmities  of  human  nature  :  ficknefs  or  other  cafualties 
might  impair  his  understanding,  his  memory,  or  his  cou- 
rage -,  and,  in  confequence  of  the  failure,  he  might  adopt 
mealures  apparently  weak,  ridiculous,  and  pernicious. 
Now,  I  demand,  fuppofing  this  certainly  a  poffible  cafe, 
whether  a  law,  the  letter  or  fpirit  of  which  fhould  abfo- 
Jutely  feal  up  the  lips  and  reftrain  the  pens,  of  every  wit- 
nefs  of  the  defection,  would  not  in  fact  be  denouncing 
-ance  againft  thofe  who  alone  have  the  means  in 
their  power  of  faving  the  public  from  the  ruin  impen- 
ding, if  they  fhould  dare  to  make  ufe  of  thefe  means  for 
its  falvation.  If  there  were  fuch  a  law,  its  abfurdity 
would  be  fo  monftroufly  glaring,  that  we  may  hardly 
fay,  it  would  be  more  honoured  in  the  breach  than  in 
the  obfervance.  In  the  Englifh  and  Frencn  armies,  the 
freedom  with  which  the  conduit  and  meafures  of  com- 
manders in  chief  are  canvaffed  is  notorious,  nor  does  it 
appear  that  this  freedom  is  attended  with  any  bad  confe- 
quences  ;  it  has  never  been  once  able  to  remove  a  real 
great  oiheer  from  his  command.  Every  action  of  the 
Duke  of  Marlborough  (every  body  who  has  read  muft 
know)  was  not  only  minutely  criticifed,  but  his  whole 
conduit  was  dificcted,  in  order  to  difcover  fonie  crime, 
blunder,  fault  or  even  trifling  error  ■,  but  all  thefe  imper- 
tinent pains  and  wicked  induftry,  were  employed  in  vain  ; 
it  was  a  court  intrigue  alone  that  fubvertedhim  ;  the  low 
military  cabals  pafled  as  the  idle  wind. 

General 


(  "$  ) 

General  Wolfe,  with  whom  to  be  compared,  it  cart 
be  no  degradation  to  any  mortal  living,  was  not  merely 
criticiied,  but  grofsly  calumniated  by  fome  officers  of 
high  rank  under  him  ;  -but  that  great  man  never  thought 
of  having  recourfe  to  the  letter  or  conftrucliion  of  any 
lav,  in  order  to  avenge  himfelf;  he  was  contented  with 
informing  his  calumniators,  that  he  was  not  ignorant  of 
their  practices,  and  that  the  only  method  he  fliould  take 
for  their  punilhment,  would  be  an  active  perfeverance 
in  the  performance  of  his  duty,  which,  with  the  affiftancc 
of  God  he  made  no  doubt  would  place  him  beyond  the 
reach  of  their  malice.  As  to  what  liberties  they  had  ta- 
ken with  him  perfonally,  he  fliould  wait  till  he  was  re- 
duced to  the  rank  of  a  private  gentleman,  and  then  fpeak 
to  them  in  that  capacity. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  appears,  that  it  never  was  under- 
flood  to  be  the  meaning  of  the  Englifli  article  of  war, 
which  enjoins  refpect  towards  the  cammander  in  chief ; 
and  of  courfe  it  ought  not  to  be  underftood,  that  the  mean-  . 
ing  of  that  article  of  the  American  code  (which  is  a  fer- 
vile  copy  from  the  Englifli)  is  meant  to  profcribe  the. 
communication  of  our  fentiments  to  one  another  on  the 
capacity  or  incapacity  of  the  man  on  whom  the  fafety 
or  ruin  of  the  ftate  depends  ;  its  intention  was,  without 
doubt  in  part,  complimentary,  and  partly  to  lay  fome  de- 
cent reihiclions  on  the  licence  of  convcrfation  and  wri- 
ting, which  othevwife  might  create  a  diihdence  in  the 
minds  of  the  common  foldiery,  detrimental  to  the  pub- 
lic fcrvice.  But  that  it  was  meant  to  impofe  a  dead, 
torpid,  idolatrous  filence,  in  all  cafes  whatever,  on  men, 
who,  from  their  rank,  muft  be  fuopofed  to  have  eyes 
and  underft  inding,  nothing  under  the  degree  of  an  idiot 
can  perfuade  himfelf:  but  admitting,  in  oppofition  to 
common  fenfe  and  all  precedents,  the  proceeding  to  be 
criminal ;  admitting  Mr.  Conway  guilt/  of  it,  to  the  ex- 
tent rcprefented,  which  he  can  demonftrate  to  be  faife  ; 
in  the  name  of  God,  why  inflict  the  higheft,  at  1-ealt  ne- 
gative punifhment,  on  a  man  untried  and  unheard.  The 
refufalofa  certificate,  of  having  honeftly  ferved,  is  con- 

fidered 


(     "6     ) 

fidered  as  the  greateft  of  negative  punifhments ;  indeed 
in  the  military  idea,  it  is  a  pofiiive  one. 

And  I  lincerely  hope,  and  do  firmly  believe  (fuch  is 
my  opinion  of  the  juilicc  of  Congrefs)  that  when  they 
have  coolly  reflected  on  the  merits  and  fortunes  of  this 
gentleman,  they  will  do  him  that  juftice,  $vhich  nothing 
but  the  harty  mifconftruction  of  a  law  haftily  copied  from 
another  law,  never  defined  nor  understood,  has  hitherto 
prevented. 


PROPOSALS  FOR    THE    FORMATION   OF  A  BODY  OF 

LIGHT  TROOPS,  READY  TO   BE  DETACAED 

ON  AN  EMERGENT  OCCASION. 

COUNT  Polafki  is  certainly  a  good  foldier,  or  he  is 
not ;  for  my  own  part,  I  believe  him  a  very  good 
one.  In  the  firft  place  lie  is  a  Polander,  whole  genius 
is  adopted  to  the  light  or  expedite  war.  In  the  feconcl 
place,  he  has  had  much  practice  in  the  bell  fchools, 
and  is  undoubtedly  brave  and  enterprifmg.  If  he  is  not 
a  good  foldier,  as  his  corps  is  expenfive,  he  ought  not  to 
be  detained  ;  therefore,  it  is  expedient,  either  to  fend 
him  about  his  bufinefs  entirely,  or  to  make  the  proper 
ufe  of  him  j  but  on  the  fuppolkiou  that  he  knows  his 
trade,  I  "would  propofe  the  following  fcheme — That  his 
legion  mould  be  immediatly  completed  to  twelve,,  hun- 
dred men,  four  hundred  cavalry,  and  eight  hundred 
light  infantry — for  thefe  eight  hundred  infantry,  that  a 
draft  fhould  be  made,  without  lofs  of  time,  from  every 
regiment  of  the  continent,  entirely  cf  natives  \  not  fo 
young  as  to  be  unable  to  refift  the  fatigues  of  this  fort 
of  fcrvice,  but  of  the  proper  age  for  violent  exercife  and 
forced  marches.  Major  Lee,  who  feems  to  have  come 
out  of  his  mother's  womb  a  foldier,  mould  be  incorpora- 
ted in  this  legion,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  to  command  fpecifically  the  whole  cavalry.  If  Ma- 
jor Lee's  corps  (for  I  know  not  their  ftrength)  will  not, 
added  to  the  cavalry  Polafki  already  has,  complete  i 


(  m  ) 

to  four  hundred,  let  there  be  a  draft  made  from  the  othef 
regiment  of  cavalry,  Moilands,  Blands,  and  Sheldon?* 
all  of  natives,  and  the  very  youngeft  men  ;  becaufe  on 
Polafki's  principle  of  exercife  (which  I  believe  to  he  the 
befl  in  the  world)  none  but  very  young  men  are  capable 
of  being  trained  to  the  manoeuvres  ;  but  as  it  is  not  cer- 
tain that  either  Count  Polafki  or  Major  Lee  underftand 
the  detail  of  cavalry,  on  which  fo  much  depends,  let 
fome  Quarter-Maflers,  or  Serjeants,  who  have  ferved  in 
the  Britifh  cavalry,  (and  there  are  many  on  the  conti- 
nent) be  found  out,  encouraged  with  rank  and  emolu- 
ment, and  employed.  A  corps  thus  compofed,  with 
brave  and  underitanding  officers  at  their  head,  fuch  as 
are  Polafki  and  Lee,  with  a  few  fubcrdinate  officers, 
knowing,in  the  detail,  will  render  more  effectual  fervice 
than  any  ten  regiments  on  the  continent.  It  would 
Hkewil'e  put  a  flop,  for  the  future,  to  that  odious,  perni- 
cious practice  of  picking  the  befl  men  from  every  bat- 
talion, on  what  are  called  extraordinary  occafions  ;  which 
practice  has  abfolutely  no  other  effccl  than  difgufting 
the  greater  part  of  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  render- 
ing the  whole  difpirited  and  unfit  for  action.  I  could 
quote  a  ftrong  inflance  of  the  bad  confequences  of  this 
cuilom.  Some  days  before  the  affair  of  Monmouth,  Ge- 
nt ral  Scott  was  detached  with  a  corps  of  picked  men 
and  officers,  to  the  no  fmall  difgufl  of  thofe  who  were 
left  behind^  who  could  not  help  conftderiug  it  as  a  fort 
of  ftigma  on  their  character.  After  this,  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette  was  detached  with  another  corps  of -one 
out  in  the  fame  m  This  body 

g  of  twenty  five  hundred  men,  inilead  of 
f  11  ig  c:r  the  enemies'  Hanks,  did,  from  fome  fatality, 
v  nothing  at  all.  I  was  afterwards  ordered  to 
march  to  fuftain  them,  with  three  fcanty  brigades,  com- 
pofed  entirely  of  the  refute  •,  and  of  this  refufe  I  was 
under  the  neceffity  of  forming  my  van-guard  on  the  day 
of  the  action  of  Monmouth  ;  for  the  picked  corps,  by 
the  blunders  committed,  were  fo  fatigued  that  they  could 
Scarcely  move  their  lees. 

Phila- 


(  h.i  ) 

SoMS  Q&ERIES,    POLITICAL    ANTD    MILlT.\;u\    HUMBLY 
OFFERED  TO   THE  CONSIDERATION  OF  THE  PUBLIC. 

Ift. -^"TTIIETHER  George  the  Firft  did  not,  oil 
y  y  his  aceeifion  to  the  throne  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, by  making  himfelf  king  of  a  party,  inftcad  or*  the 
whole  nation,  low  the  feeds  not  only  of  the  fubverhou 
of  the  liberties  of  the  people,  but  of  the  ruin  of  the  whole 
empire  ? 

2d.  "Whether,  by  proferibing  the  clafs  of  men,  to 
which  his  miniftry  were  pleafed  to  give  the  appellation 
of  Tories,  he  did  not,  in  the  end,  make  them  not  only 
real  tories,  but  even  Jacobites  ? 

3d.  Whether  the  confequence  of  this  difiinction,  now 
become  real,  was  not  two  rebellions  ;  and  whether  the 
fruit  of  thofe  rebellions,  although  defeated,  were  not 
feptennial  parliaments,  a  large  Handing  army,  an  enor- 
mous additional  weight  and  pecuniary  influence  thrown 
into  the  fcale  of  the  crown,  which  in  a  few  years  have 
borne  down,  not  only  the  fubftance,  but  almoft  the  form 
of  liberty,  all  fenfe  of  patriotifm,  the  morals  of  the  peo- 
ple, and,  in  the  end,  overturned  the  mighty  fabric  of  the 
Britifh  empire  ? 

4th  Whether  the  prefent  men  in  power,  in  this  flate, 
do  not  tread  exactly  in  the  fteps  of  this  pernicious  mi- 
ni fi  ry,  by  proferibing  and  disfranchifing  fo  large  a  pro- 
portion of  citizens  as  thofe  men  whom  they  find  it  their 
intereft  to  brand  with  the  denomination  of  Tories  ? 

5th.  Whether  liberty  to  be  durable,  fhould  not  be 
conftrucd  on  as  broad  a  bafis  as  poflible  ;  and  whether 
the  fame  caufes,  in  all  ages,  and  in  all  countries,  do  not 
produce  the  fame  effects  ? 

6th.  Whether  it  is  not  natural,  and  even  judicable, 
for  that  clafs  of  people  (let  the  pretext  be  ever  fo  plaufi- 
ble)  who  have  been  flripped  of  their  rights  as  men,  by 
the  hard  hand  of  power,  to  wifh  for,  and  endeavour  to 
.bring  about,  by  any  means  whatever,  a  revolution  in 
that  flate,  which  they  cannot  but  corffider  as  an  ufurpa- 
tion  and  tyranny  ? 


(     "9    ) 

7th.  Whether  a  fubje£t,  of  Morocco  is  not,  when  we 
eonfider  human  nature,  a  happier  mortal,  than  a  disfran. 
thifed  citizen  of  Pennfylvania,  as  the  iormer  has  the 
comfort  of  feeing  all  about  him  in  the  fame  predicament 
With  hirnlelf  j  the  latter,  the  mifery  of  being  a  flave  in 
the  fpacious  bofom  of  liberty  ?  The  former  drinks  the 
cup,  but  the  latter  alone  can  tafte  the  bittcrnefs  of  it. 

8th.  Whether  an  enlightened  member  of  a  French 
parliament  is  not  a  thoufand  times  more  wretched  than 
a  Ruffian  cirf  or  peafant  ?  As  to  the  former,  the  chains, 
from  his  fenfibility,  mult  be  extremely  galling  j  and  on 
the  latter,  they  fit  as  eafy  as  the  lkin  of  his  back. 

9th.  Whether  it  is  falutary  or  dangerous,  confiftent 
with,  or  abhorrent  from,  the  principles  and  fpirit  of  li- 
berty and  republicanism,  to  inculcate  and  encourage  in 
the  people,  an  idea,  that  their  welfare,  fafety,  and  glo- 
ry, depend  on  one  man  ?  Whether  they  really  do  de- 
pend on  one  man  ? 

10th.  Whether,  among  the  late  warm,  or  rather 
loyal  addreffers,  in  this  city,  to  his  Excellency  General 
Wafhington,  there  was  a  lingle  mortal,  one  gentleman 
excepted,  who  could  poilibly  be  acquainted  with  his 
merits  ? 

nth.  Whether  this  gentleman  excepted,  does  really 
think  his  Excellency  a  great  man  ;  or  whether  evidences 
could  not  be  produced  of  his  fentiments  being  quite  the 
reverfe  ? 

1 2th.  Whether  the  armies  under  Gates  and  Arnold, 
and  the  detachment  under  Starke,  to  the  Northward,  or 
that  immediately  under  his  Excellency,  ill  Pennfylvania, 
gave  the  decifive  turn  to  the  fortune  of  war  ? 

13th.  Whether,  therefore,  when  Monfieur  Gerard 
and  Don  Juan  de  Miralles,  fent  over  to  their  rcfpe£tive 
courts  the  pictures  of  his  Excellency  General  Wafhing- 
ton at  full  length,  by  Mr.  Peal,  there  would  have  been 
any  impropriety  in  fending  over,  at  the  fame  time,  at 
leait  a  couple  of  little  heads  of  Gates  and  Arnold,  by 
M.  de  Simitiere. 

14th. 


(       J  20      ) 

14th.  On  what  principle  was  it  that  Congrefs,  in  the 
year  1776,  lent  for  General  Lee  quite  from  Georgia, 
with  injunctions  to  join  the  army  under  General  Wafir* 
jngton,  then  in  York-Illand,  \#ithout  lofs  of  time. 

I  ctb.  Whetlicr  Congrefb  had  reafon  to  be  fadsfied  or 
dUTatis&ed  v.  ith  this' their  recal  of  General  Lee,  from 
what  rubfequently  happened  on  York-Ifland,  and  at  the 
White-Plains  ? 

1 6th.  Whether  Fort  Wafhington.,  was  or  was  not  te- 
nable ?  Whether  there  were  barracks,  cafe-mates,  fuel, 
or  water,  within  the  body  of  the  place  ?  Whether  in  the 
out-works,  the  defences  were  in  any  decent  order  ?  And 
whether  there  were  even  platforms  for  the  guns  ? 

17th.  Whether,  if  it  had  been  tenable,  it  could,  have 
anfwpred  any  one  fingle  purpofc  ?  Did  it  cover,  did  it 
protect  a  valuable  country  ?  Did  it  prevent  the  enemy's 
{hips  from  pafTmg  or  repaifmg  with  impunity  ? 

1 8th.  Whether,  when  General  Howe  manifeft.lv  gave 
over  all  thoughts  of  attacking  General  Wafhington,  in 
the  lad  ftrong  pofition  in  the  rear  of  White~P|aini, 
and  fell  back  towards  York-Iilarid,  orders  fhonld  not 
have  been  immediately  djfpatched  for  the  evacuation  of 
Fort  Wafhington,  and  for  the  removal  of  all  the  (lores 
of  value  from  Fort  Lee  to  fome  fecurc  fpot,  more  re- 
moved from  the  river  ?*  Whether  this  was  not  pro] 
and  the  propofal  flighted  ? 

19th.  Whether  the  lofs  of  the  garrifon  of  Fort  Wafh- 
ington, and  its  confequent  lofs  of  Fort  Lee,  with  the 
tents,  Itores,  &c.  had  not  fuch  an  effect  on  the  foirits 
of  the  people,  as  to  make  the  difference  of  twenty  thou- 
iand  men  to  America.? 

20th,.  Whether,  in  the  defeat  of  Brandewine,  Gene- 
ral Sullivan  was  really  the  perfon  who  ought  to  have 
been  cenfured  ? 

2 1  ft.  Whether,  if  Duke  Ferdinand  *  had  commanded 
at  German  Town,  after  having  gained,  by  the  valour  of 

lis 

*  In  one  of  the  numerous  publications  which  have  lately   infefted 
Philadelphia,  it  was  brought  as  a  crime  acainit  Mri  Deai 
had  direct!),  or  indiredily,  n-.ade  ioine  overtures  to  Prince  Ferdinand 


f     HM      ) 

his  troops,  .and  the  negligence  of  his  enemy,  a  par- 
tial victory,  he  would  have  contrived,  by  a  fingle  ftrokc 
ef  the  Bathes,  to  have  corrupted  this  partial  victory  into 
&  defeat. 

2 2d.  Whether  our  pofition  at  Valley  Forge  was  not 
fuch,  that  if  General  Howe,  or  afterwards  General  ' 
con,  had  been  well  informed  of  its  chrcumftanccs,  de 
;Wls,  and  vices,  they  might  not  at  the  head  of  ten,  • 
even  ot  eight  thoufand  men,  have  reduced  the  Ameri- 
can army  to  the  fame   fatal  neceffity  33  (he  Americans 
did  General  Burgoj 

23d.  Whether  the  trials  o(  General  St.  Clair,  of 
which  Court-Martial  General  Lincoln  was  prefident, 
and  that  on  General  Lee,  were  conducted  in  the  fame 
forms,  and  on  the  fame  principles  ?  Whether  in  the 
former,  all  hear  fay  evidences  were  not  absolutely  reject- 
ed ;  and  in  the  latter  hearfay  evidence  did  not  constitute 
h  very  confiderable  part  ? 

24th.  Whether  if  the  Generals  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair, 
hail  been  tried  by  the  fame  Court-Martial  as  General 
Lee  was,  and  unload  of  Congrefs,  General  Wafhingtou 
had  been  the  profecutor,  thofe  gentlemen  (unexception- 
able as  their  conduct  was)  would  not  have-  Hood  a  very 
ugly  chance  of  being  condemned  ?  And  whether,  it 
inltcad  of  General  Walhingtpn,  Congrefs  had  been  the 
profecutor,  General  Lee  would  not  probably  have  bceu 
acquitted  with  thehighrft  honour  r 

25 tin  Whether  it  muft  not  appear  to  every  man  who 
has  read  General  Wafhington's  letter  to  Congrefs,  0:1. 
the  affair  at  Monmouth,  and,  the  proceedings'  of  die 
Court-Martial,  by  which  General  Lee  was  tried,  th 
the  contents  ci'  the  former  are  facts,  not  only  General 
tee's  defence  mud  be  a  tuTue  of  the  roll  abom'ii 
audacious  lies,  but  that  the-whole  ftring  of  evidences, 

M  bo:h 

Ct  Brunfwick,  to  accept  the  command  of  the  American  army,  who  muft 
of  courfc  have  fuperfeded  General  Washington.  This  crime  appeared 
Co  ali  the  foreign  officers  who  are  acquainted  with  the  prince's  reputa- 
tion a>  h  foldicr,  in  fo  very  ridiculous  a  light,  that  they  never  think  of 
ut  being  throwuinto  violent  fits  of  laughter. 


f      122      ) 

both  on  the  part  of  the  profecution  and  profecuted,  muft 
be  guilty  of  rank  perjury,  as  the  teftimonies  of  thole* 
gentlemen,  near  forty  in  number,  delivered  on  oath, 
fearcely  in  one  article  coincide  with  the  detail  given  in, 
his  Excellency's  letter  ? 


COPY  OF  GENERAL  LEE'S  WILL. 

I.MAJOR  GENERAL  CHARLES  LEE,  of  the 
my  of  Berkley,  in  the  commonwealth  of  Vh> 
.  being  in  perfect  health,  and  of  a  found  mind, 
ig  the  certainty  of  death,  and  the  uncertainty 
of  the  vi:.:c  it  may  happen,,  have  determined  to  make 
this  my  laft  will  and  teftament,  in  manner  following: 
that  i  '  ■  .  I  give  and  bequeath  to  Alexander  White, 

Lh;.  one  hundred  guineas,  in  comideration  of  the  zeal 
and  integrity  lie  has  difplayed  in  the  administration  of 
my  affaire;  al-fo  the  choice  of  any  two  of  my  colts  or  fil- 
lies under  four  years  of  age. 

Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  Charles  Minn  Thrufton, 
Efq,  fifty  guineas,  in  confideration  of  his  good  qualities 
and  the  frifeiidfhip  he  has  manifested  fot  me  •,  and  to 
Buekner  Thrufton,  his  fon,  I  leave  all  my  books,  as  I 
know  he  will  make  a  good  uie  of  them. 

To  my  good  friend  John  Mercer,  Efq.  of  Marlbo- 
h  in  Virginia,  I  give  and  bequeath  the  choice  of  two 
brood  mares,  of  all  my  fwords  and  piftols,  and  ten  gui- 
neas to  buy  a  ring  :  I  would  give  him  more,  but  as  he 
lias  a  good  eftate  and  a  better  genius,  he  has  fulFicient, 
if  he  knows  how  to  make  a  good  ufe  of  them. 

1  give  and  bequeath  to  my  former  aid  de  camp,  Ot- 
wav  Bird,  Efq.  the  choice  oi  another  brood  mare,  and 
ten  guineas  for  the  'unv.c  purpofe  of  a  remembrance-ring, 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  worthy  friend  Colonel 
William  Grayfon,  of  Dumfries,  the  fecond  choice  of 
two  cults  ;  and  to  my  excellent  friend  William  Stiptoe, 
of  Virginia,  T  would  leave  a  great  deal,  but  as  he  is  now 
To  rich,  it  would  be  no  lets  than  robbing  my  other  friends 

who 


(     »23     J 

who  are  poor.  I  therefore  entreat,  he  will  only  accept 
of  five  guineas,  which  I  bequeath  to  him  to  purchafe  a 
ring  of  affection. 

I  bequeath  to  my  old  and  faithful  fervant,  or  rather 
humble  friend,  Guifippi  Minghini,  three  hundred  gvlU 
neas,  with  all  ray  horfes,  mares,  and  colts  of  every  kind, 
thofe  above  mentioned  excepted)  likewife  all  my  wear* 
ing  apparel  and  plate,  my  waggons  and  tools  of  agricul- 
ture) and  his  choice  of  four  milch  cows. 

I  bequeath  to  Elizabeth  Dunn,  my  houfc-kecper,  one 
hundred  guineas  and  my  whole  flock  of  cattle,  the  four 
milch  cows  abovementioned  only  excepted. 

I  had  almoft  forgot  my  dear  friends,  (and  I  ought  to 
be  afhamed  of  it)  Mrs.  Shippen,  her  fon  Thomas  Ship- 
pen,  and  Thomas  Lee,  Efq.  of  Belle-View.  I  beg  they 
will  except  ten  guineas  each,  to  buv  rings  of  affection. 

My  landed  eftitc  in  Berkley,  I  defire  may  be  divided 
into  three  equal  parts,  according  to  quality  and  quanti- 
ty •,  one-third  part  I  devifc  to  my  dear  friend  Jacttb 
Morris,  of  Philadelphia  ■,  one  other  third  part  to  Evan 
Edwards,  both  my  former  aid  de  camps,  and  to  their 
heirs  and  afhgns  ;  the  other  third  part  1  deviie  to  Eiea- 
zer  OfwaJd,  at  prefent  of  Philadelphia,  and  William 
Goddard,  of  Baltimore,  to  whom  1  am  under  obligati- 
ons, and  to  their  heirs  and  afhgns,  to  be  equally  divided 
between  thexn  ;  but  thefe  devifees  are  not  to  enter  un- 
til they  have  paid  off  the  feveral  legacies  abovemention- 
ed,  with  intereft  from  the  time  of  my  death,  and  all  tax- 
es which  may  be  due  on  my  eitate.  In  cafe  I  mould 
fell  my  faid  landed  eftate,  I  bequeath  the  price  thereof, 
after  paying  the  aforefaid  legacies,  to  the  faid  Jacob 
Morris,  Even  Edwards,  Eleazer  Ofwald,  and  William 
Goddard,  in  the  proportions  abovementioncd. 

All  my  Haves,  which  I  may  be  poflefTed  of  at  the 
time  of  my  deceafe,  I  bequeath  to  Guifippi  Minghim 
and  Elizabeth  Dunn,  to  be  equally  divided  between  them. 

All  my  other  property  of  every  kind,  and  in  every 
part  of  the  world,  after  my  deceafe,  funeral  charges,  and 
ncceilary  expenccs  of  adminiftration  are  paid,  I  give, 

devife, 


f      124      ) 

devifc,  aridvbcquearh  to  ray  fiftcr  Sidney  Lcc,  her  heirs 
".uid  aiiigns  for  ever. 

I  defire  moll  earneftly,  that  I  may  not  be  buried  in 
any  church  or  church-yard,  or  within  ■■-.  mile  of  any 
Prefbyterian  or  Anabaptift  meeting-hcufe  ;  for  fince  I 
have  refided  in  this  country,  I  have  kept  fo  much  bad 
company  when  living,  that  I  do  not  chufe  to  continue 
it  when  dead. 

I  recommend  my  foul  to  the  Creator  of  all  worlds 
and  of  all  creatures ;  who  mult,  from  his  vifible  attri- 
butes, be  indifferent  to  their  modes  of  worfhip  or  creeds, 
whether  Chriflians,  Mahometans,  or  Jews  •,  whether  in- 
filled by  education,  or  taken  up  by  reflection  ;  whether 
more  or  lefs  abfurd  ;  as  a  weak  mortal  can  no  more  be 
anfwerable  for  his  perfuafions,  notions,  or  even  fcepti- 
cilm  in  religion,  than  for  the  colour  of  his  fkin. 

And  I  do  appoint  the  above-mentioned  Alexander 
"White  and  Charles  Minn  Thrufton,  executors  of  my 
kit  will  and  teftament,  and  do  revoke  all  other  wills  by 
me  heretofore  made.  In  witnefs  whereof  I  have  here- 
unto fet  my  hand  and  feal  this  day  of 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thoufand  feven  hundred 
end  eighty-two. 


CHARLES  LEE. 


Signed,  Sealed,  publimcd,^ 
and  declared  by  the  laid  Ma-  j 
jor  General  Charles  Lee,  as,  ^ 
and    for,    his    laft    will    and 
ieit  anient.      In    pretence    oi 

James  Smith, 

Samuel  Swkaringfn, 

William  Garrard. 


At 


{     1*5     ) 

At  a  court  held  for  Berkley  county,  the  15th  day  of 
April,  1783,  this  laft  will  and  teftament  of  Charles  Lee, 
deceafed,  was  prefented  in  court  hy  Alexander  White, 
one  of  the  executors  therein  named,  who  made  oath 
thereto  according  to  law,  and  the  fame  being  proved  to 
he  executed  on  the  10th  day  of  September,  1782,  by 
the  oaths  of  James  Smith  and  Samuel  Swearingen, 
two  of  the  witneiles  thereto,  and  ordered  to  be  record- 
ed ;  and  on  the  motion  of  the  faid  executor,  who  enter- 
ed into  bond  with  Adam  Stephens,  El'q.  hi*  fecurity,  in 
the  penalty  of  twenty  thoufand  pounds,  conditioned  for 
his  true  and  faithful  administration  of  the  faid  eftate, 
certificate  is  granted  him  for  obtaining  a  probate  th 
of  in  due  form  of  law. 

A  COJPY. 

WILLIAM  DRfW, 


Mj  letters 


(       126      ) 


E      T      T      E      R 


TO    AND    FROM 


MAJOR  GENERAL  LEE. 


LETTERS  to  GENERAL  LEE,  from  several 

EMINENT    CHARACTERS    BOTH     IN     EUROPE 
AND    AMERICA. 


London,  Nov.  26th,  I  759. 
My  dear  Lee, 

YOUR  American  polls  are  exceffive  hard  upoh  me, 
and  ma/  reglee's.  You  and  Montgomery  are  fo 
good  as  to  write  to  me  often  from  thence.  I  have  bem, 
upon  honour,  very  exact  in  my  anfwers,  without  having 
been  lucky  enough  that  either  of  you  fhould  have  heard 
from  me.  This  time  I  hope  to  be  more  fortunate,  hav- 
ing recommended  my  letter  to  the  bed  hand.  I  envy 
you  all  the  fervice  you  have  feen  vvhilft  I  have  been  in  the 
mofl  fluggifh  inactivity.  I  have  indeed  got  a  fon,  but 
cela  ne  conte  gueres.  Our  good  fortune,  and  that  of  our 
friends,  has  been  indefatigable  this  year.  To-day,  we  have 
the  news  of  the  furrender  of  Munfter,  and  the  French  in 
Germany  retiring,  probably«into  winter  quarters.  Daun 
is  doing  the  fame,  and  is  likely  to  leave  the  amazing 
King  of  PrufTia  once  more  in  pofleflion  of  Saxony.  The 
Ruffians,  we  flatter  oufelves,  will  move  no  more.  The 
Brefl  fleet  is  out ;  Hawke  after  them,  and  a  good  ac- 
count of  them  hoped  for,  and  expelled  every  moment. 

Next 


(       **7      ) 

Next  year  I  hope  to  have  fomething  to  do  in  Germany, 
were  they  talk  of  fending  us.     I  believe  you  already 
know  my  trade — Lieutenant  Colonel  to  George  Elliot's 
Light  Dragoons.    Being  as  horfe-mad  as  ever,  and  hav- 
ing the  rank  of  Colonel  before,  by  being  the  King's  aid 
de  camp,  I  preferred  that  to  a  young  regiment  of  foot. 
So  many  children  have  of  late  been  made  Generals,  that 
we  Children-colonels   are  already  very  high  in  the  lift. 
The  riding  of  this  new  corps  has  kept  me  fully  employed 
this  whole  fummer,  and  I  am  now  come  up  to  town  for 
winter  quarters,    which  the  feafon  makes  much  more 
pleafant  than  the  country  ones.  We  are  all  here  in  grief 
for  the  lofs  of  poor  Wolfe.    Nobody  of  that  age  can  be 
more  publicly  and  privately  admired  and  regretted.  The 
war  in  America,  we  are  in  hopes,  will  be  over  very  foon  \ 
if  fo,  I  fhall  hope  then  to  have  the  pleafure  of  feeing  yon. 
The  French's  fighting-days  feem  to  be  over,  or,  at  lead, 
iufpended.  Every  day  produces  a  change  amongft  them, 
of  generals,  admirals,  and   miniftry  ;  and  every  thing 
fpeaks  them  to  be  in  the  greateft  poverty  and  difunion. 
It  don't  often  happen  here,  or  anywhere  elfe,  I  believe, 
but  there  is  certainly  at  prelent  amongft  all  here  the 
greateft  fpirits  and  unanimity  imaginable,  and  no  appear- 
ances of  v ant ;  much  debauch,   and   good   living  ;  fo 
prav  come  amongft  us  foon.  You  have  the  good  fortune 
not  only  to  have  feen  fcrvice  enough,  but  molt  of  it  fuc- 
cefsful.     All  your  friends  are  well.  ^  Adieu,  my  dear 
Lee  !  let  me  hear  from  you  when  you  can,  and  be  af- 
fured  that  no  one  can  intereft  themfelvcs  more  fincerely 
about  you  than, 

Your  moft  affectionate  Friend,  and 
Humble  Servant, 

PEMBROKE. 
To  Capt.  Charles  Lee, 
in  the  44th  Reg.  Albany. 


London  > 


(     n8     ) 

London,  Nov.  28//;,   1 759. 
Dear  Charles, 

YOU  have  obliged  me  very  much  by  a  fecond  letter 
Come  lately  to  may  hands,  and  dated  at  Niagara.  "We 
had  before  received  accounts  of  the  reduction  of  it,  and 
your  being  in  pofTeflion  of  the  glorious  country  around  ; 
which,  by  your  defcription,  muft  be  a  paradife  indeed ; 
nnd  it  is  much  to  be  wifhed,  it  may  never  again  go  out 
of  your  hands.  Our  acquifitions  this  year  have  been  fo 
great  and  important,  that  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 
appoint  to-morrow  a  public  thankfgiving-day  :  and  tho* 
Amherft  has  not  got  fo  forward  as  was  expected,  yet  he 
fends  word  he  is  Matter  of  Lake  Champlain  ;  which,  as 
we  are  pofTefled  of  the  other  fide  of  Quebec,  muft  bound 
the  enemy  between  the  two  in  fuch  a  manner,  as,  we 
conclude  here,  will  diftrefs  them  extremely,  if  not  oblige 
them  to  make  iubmiffion,  and  furrender.  In  Europe, 
you  will  have  heard  Bofcawen  fell  in  with  the  Toulon 
fleet,  and  Cook  four  of  them  ;  and  we  are  now  in  hourly 
expectation  of  Hawke's  overtaking  the  Brelt  fleet,  which 
dole  out  of  the  harbour  the  other  day,  in  order,  as  it  is 
fuppofed,  to  cover  a  defcent,  either  upon  Ireland  or  this 
country,  which  they  have  long  threatened  us  with  ;  but 
it  muft  be  a  very  defperate  game  they  are  playing,  fince, 
if  our  fhips  have  the  luck  to  come  up  with  them,  we 
have  little  fear  here  of  their  giving  them  fuch  a  blow  as 
will  put  an  end  to  the  naval  force  of  France  for  fome 
time  to  come. — But  I  will  talk  no  more  of  public  affairs  ; 
it  will  probably  be  of  greater  fatisfa&ion  to  you,  to  hear 
of  the  welfare  of  your  friends  and  relations,  which  lam 
happily  enabled  at  prefent  to  afiure  you  of;  for  I  know 
not  of  any  exception  amongft  them  all.  My  fon  is  gone 
to  Turin,  and  I  hope  we  may  prefume  upon  his  health, 
though  we  have  not  lately  heard  from  him  :  he  is  to  ftay 
here  five  or  fix  month*,  and  afterwards  to  ramble  about 
Italy  another  twelve-month.  Your  filter  Sidney  com- 
plains you  do  not  write  lb  often  as  fhe  wiihes.  I  gave 
her  the  fatisfa&ion  of  knowing  you  had  favoured  me 
lately  with  a  letter,  and  that  you  were  well  and  happy, 

a$ 


(     **9     ) 

as 1  am  willing  to  fuppofe  by  the  ltrain  of  your  {tile,  which 
is  very  lively  and  entertaining.  The  books  and  choco- 
late you  delired,  have  been  Cent  to  Mr.  Calcroft  near  a 
month  ago,  who  h:is  t;;ken  the  charge  of  them  ;  and  I 
hope  they  will  get  fafe  to  your  hand  :  But  fure  you  are 
not  to  flay  on  that  continent  for  ever  :  "We  wiih  you  ta 
come  again  amongft  your  friends,  and  probably  fomc 
change  might  be  procured,  as  well  as  advance,  on  thi; 
fide  of  the  water,  if  you  dciire  it.  Lord  Granby  com- 
mands in  Germany  at  prefent,  and  is  likely  to  be  at  the 
head  of  the  army  oa  this  fide  of  the  water  too,  if  Ligonier 
drops  ;  and  it  is  fuppofed  he  cannot  Iaft  a  gre.it  while 
longer.  The  taking  of  Munfter,  which  we  h.id  advice 
of  the  other  day,  will  be  of  great  importance  to  our  alied 
armv,  and  fecure  them  good  winter  quarters.  A  great 
many  matches  are  talked  of  here  in  town,  fo  that  if  vou 
do  not  come  foon,  all  our  fine  young  ladies  will  be  difpof- 
ed  of  i  but  I  know  of  none  of  your  more  particular 
acquaintance  that  have,  or  are  about,  changing  their  date- 
Pray  go  on  writing  to  us  j  nobody  better  qualified  to  en- 
tertain by  their  letters  :  I  wifh  I  had  as  good  a  knack 
on  my  fide  for  the  fake  of  your  amufement.  Your  aunt 
and  coufins  beg  to  live  conitantly  in  your  memory  and 
good  wilhes  ;  they  detire  I  will  afiure  you,  you  have  theirs 
molt  heartily  ;  and  {  hope  I  need  not  add,  that  you  will 
invariably  have  thofe  of  your  affectionate  and  obliged 
uncle, 

WILLIAM  BUNBURY.- 
Capt.  Charles  Lee. 


War/aw,  April  2$tht  176*8. 
My  dear  Colonel, 
I  ADMIRE,  very  much,  the  fubtility  of  your  reafon- 
ing,  and  the  arguments  you  run  after,  to  prove  me  in 
fault  for  the  filence  you  have  long  obferved,  which,  I  con- 
fefs,  has  furnifhed  me  often  with  fubjecl:  for  reflection^.' 
The  receipt  of  your  letter  has  given  me  fo  much  pleafure, 
that  I  ought  in  gratitude  to  forget  every  uneafy  thouhgji 

that 


that  I  have  permitted  to  torment  me  whilft  I  was  in  ex* 
pe&arion  of  it  •,  and  therefore  fhall  proceed  immediately 
to  thank  y.ou  for  the  intelligence  it  brings  me,  and  the 
affurances  it  renews  of  your  air'eclion  and  friendlhip. 

I  iliould  have  been  heartily  glad  to  have  heard,  my 
dear  Colonel,  that  his  Majefty's  recommendation  had  been 
more  fucceftful  in  procuring  you  an  eftablifhment  equal 
to  your  merit  and  withes  j  but  am  not  at  all  furprifed 
that  you  find  the  door  fliut  againft  you  by  the  pcrfon 
who  has  fueh  unbounded  credit  j  as  you  have  ever  too 
freely  indulged  a  liberty  of  declaiming,  which  many  infa- 
mous and  invidious  people  have  not  failed  to  inform  him 
of.  The  principle  on  which  you  thus  openly  lpeak  your 
mind,  is  honeft  and  patriotic,  but  not  politic  ;  and  as  it 
will  not  fucceed  in  changing  men  or  times,  common 
prudence  fliould  teach  us  to  hold  our  tongues,  rather 
than  to  rifque  our  own  fortunes  without  any  profpect  of 
advantage  to  ourfelves  or  neighbours.  Excufe  this  fcrap 
of  advice,  my  dear  Colonel,  and  place  it  to  the  vent  of  a 
heart  entirely  devoted  to  your  intereft. 

I  remember  my  promife,  to  inform  you  of  the  trans- 
actions of  this  place  j  and  had  I  received  a  line  from 
you  upon  the  road,  mould  have  endeavoured  to  find  time 
during  the  diet  to  have  given  you  a  fketch  of  the  critical 
and  unexpected  affairs  that  agitated  us  ;  it  will  be  need- 
lefs  now,  as  the  public  papers  and  your  other  correfpon- 
dents  here  have,  doubtlefs,  not  failed  to  inftruct  you. 
The  important  affair  of  the  diffidents  was  rudely  and  in- 
folently  refufed  •,  and  you  cannot  be  ignorant  that  thole 
gentlemen  have  formed  two  confederations  in  Poland 
and  in  Lithuania,  fupported  by  a  Ruffian  army  of  thirty 
or  forty  thoufand  men,  and  that  we  expect  a  diet  extra- 
ordinary in  the  months  of  Auguft  or  September,  for  ter- 
minating their  demands,  to  the.  fatisfaction  of  the  pow- 
ers who  intereft  themfelves  in  their  behalf  :  and  though 
it  is  impoffible  to  fay  how  it  will  end,  yet  the  appearan- 
ces at  prefent  are  much  in  their  favour,  and  we  have  all 
reafon  to  think,  that  it  will  be  conduced  without  any 
interruption  of  the  tranquillity  of  the  republic. 

You 


(     13*     )     ■ 

You  mud  not  imagine,  that  however  important  this 
negotiation  is,  that  our  great  men  cannot  find  time  for 
other  amuiements  and  engagements.  The  object  that 
engroffes  our  attention  at  this  moment,  is  love,  and  the 
family  cf  Clavereau  (you  remember  the  French  a£tor 
and  his  two  daughters  :)  Prince  Gafper  Lubomiriki  mar- 
ries the  youngeft  daughter  to-day  and  the  eldell  ran 
away,  and  married  a  mulician,  two  days  ago,  having  re- 
ceived from  R — a  considerable  fum,  as  a  recompence 
for  fo  infamous  a  part,  and  as  ferving  only  for  a  cloak 
to  his  views  of  getting  her  out  of  her  father's  houle.  The 
father  has  aclcd,  on  this  occallon,  like  a  prince,  and  the 
ambarVador  like  a  comedian  ;  the  latter  laughs,  and  is 
content  with  his  dexterity,  and  his  flatterers  tell  him,  he 
is  an  habile  negotiator  :  but  every  prudent  and  impartial 
m.'.n  mult  condemn  a  perfon  of  his  rank  and  character 
—father  of  many  children,  and  pait  the  heat  ot  youth — • 
for  having  committed  fuch  an  extravagance. 

The  chart  du  pais  remains  pretty  much  the  fame  as 
when  you  left  us  :  the  fame  friend  mips  and  the  fame 
Quarrels.  You  have  been  the  inllrument  of  mal 
Lind's  fortune -,  M has  given  him  the  abfolute  di- 
rection and  education  of  Monf.  Chambellan's  fon,  with  \ 
penfion  for  life  \  and  he  is  to  travel  with  him  in  a  couple 
of  years  ;  and  I  cannot  but  congratulate  both  parties  j 
for  Lind  has  great  merit  as  a  fcholar,  and  a  man  of  prin- 
ciples  and  worth. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  my  dear  Colonel,  for  your 
offers  ot  iervice,  and  am  convinced,  that  you  would  llize 
any  opportunity  of  being  ufeful  to  me  ;  I  don't  know  in 
what  manner  you  can  do  me  a  greater,  than  in  the  con- 
fervation  of  your  fentiments  for  me.  Take  care  of  your 
health  and  hufband  well  your  fortune,  which  is  furfiei- 
ent  to  make  you  happy  ;  and  in  your  happinefs,  I  lhall 
always  find  a  (ulcere  fatisfaiJtion.  Adieu,  my  dear  Co- 
lonel !  I  am  and  lhall  be,  to  the  end  of  my  life, 
Your  affe&ipnnte  Friend  and  Servant, 

THOMAS  WRQUGHTON. 
Col.  Lee. 

IJlatid 


(     '3*     ) 

ljlatul  St.   John,  Nov.    loth,  1 77 2. 
My  Dear  Lee, 

OF  all  men  on  earth  yow  are  the  laft  from  whom  I 
expected  to  hear,  unlefs  it  was  in  a  paragraph  of  a  fo- 
reign Gazette,  that  fuch  a  day  Monf.  General  Lee,  un 
Anglois,  was  cut  to  pieces,  defending  his  Polifh  Majefty, 
or  in  fome  defperatc  uncommon  attack  ;  or,  which  was 
fully  as  likely,  that  you  was  hanged  for  treafen,  in  fome 
of  the  damned  arbitrary  governments  you  have  been 
wandering  through.  But,  how  furprifed  !  when,  in  the 
place  of  this,  I  received  a  nattering  letter  from  you,  da- 
ted Dijon.  Surely,  Lee,  the  climate  of  France  has 
produced  this  wonderful  e  licet.  I  am  fure  in  Old  En- 
gland you  would  never  flatter  any  man,  much  lei's  one 
whom  you  honoured  with  your  friendfhip.  Do  you  tiot 
know  how  apt  we  all  are  to  forget  ourfelves  when  iu 
power,  or  upon  any  fudden  elevation  ;  and  how  very 
ready  we  are  to  believe  all  the  handfome  things  that  even 
the  moil  abject  fycophanta  are  pleafed  to  befpatter  us 
with  ?  Then,  my  friend,  how  much  more  dangerous 
muftjj:  be  from  a  man,  of  whole  underftanding  I  have  al- 
ways had  the  higheft  opinion  ?  and  who  is  10  remarka- 
ble for  his  candour  and  freedom  of  fpeech,  that  they  are, 
to  the  difgraceof  our  day,  well  known  to  be  his  greateft 
enemies.  In  fpite  of  what  I  fay,  I  will  acknowledge  I 
am  proud  of  your  good  opinion,  though  delivered  in  too 
flattering  a  ftile  ;  but  I  hope  it  will  have  no  other  effect 
than,to  make  me  endeavour  to  deferve  it. 

Taking  it  for  granted,  that  you  will  like  to  know  how 
I  bear  my  promotion,  I  will  give  you  as  impartial  an  ac- 
count of  it,  in  as  few  words  as  it  is  poilible  for  a  man  to 
give  of  himfelf.  I  feel  myfelf  independent,  and  a  flare 
to  flaves,  obliged  to  court  and  flatter  men  whom  I  dc(~ 
pile,  both  for  their  want  of  abilities  and  want  of  honefty. 
1  hate  power,  and  thofe  in  it,  more  and  more  every  day. 
I  am  plainer  in  my  tabic  :ind  apparel  than  you  ever  knew 
me  \*  ithout  art  attempt  or  wilh  to  be  rich.  I  have  chil- 
dren and  1  feel  they  nlay  one  day  be  under  another  go- 
Yeroot,  on  the  fpot  where  their  father  once  prcfided. 

f  Tfail 


(     »33     ) 

This  helps  to  make  me  careful,  and  as  tender  ai  pofnble 
of  thofe  entrufted  to  my  care.  My  actions  are  as  pub- 
lic as  they  can  poflibly  be  made  ;  and  I  hope  my  chil- 
dren and  friends  will  never  have  reafon  to  blufh  or  be 
afhumed  to  hear  of  them.  I  find  the  care  of  a  people  a 
more  difficult  thing  than  I  imagined  it  to  be,  and  I  found 
myfelf  very  defective  as  a  legiflator  :  the  former,  perhaps, 
time  may  render  more  eafy,  and  I  am  endeavouring  to 
remedy  the  latter,  by  as  clofc  an  application,  to  ftudy 
the  fpirit  of  the  laws  of  my  country,  as  is  in  my  power  ; 
in  the  mean  time,  I  am  cautious  of  doing  much,  left  It 
may  do  more  evil  than  good.  This  if  I  know  any  thin^ 
of  myfelf,  is  truth.  How  you  will  like  the  daubed  por- 
trait, I  know  not,  nor  whether  or  not,  I  may  not  forfeit 
3  part  of  your  good  opinion,  by  the  badnefs  of  the  at- 
tempt. 

Having  faid  fo  much  of  myfelf,  I  now  come  to  your 
bufmefs  •,  and  in  the  firfl  place,  I  promife  you,  if  it  be 
in  my  power  to  do  any  for  you,  I  will,  and  with  more 
pleafure  than  you  can  aflc  me.  In  the  mean  time,  I  can 
anfvver  you  fome  of  your  queries  to  a  greater  certainty, by 
being  here,  than  if  I  had  received  your  letter  in  Suffolk 
Street,  where  you  directed  it  to  me.  You  defired  to 
know  if  it  is  worth  your  while  to  lay  out  any  money  on 
your  lands  in  this  iflaud;  I  anfwer,yes.  You  have  half 
of  the  very  bed  lot  on  this  ifland,  or  at  lead  as  good  a<; 
any,  and  were  I  in  your  circumftances,  I  ivottld  be  pro- 
prietor of  the  whole  of  it  ;  in  that  manner  I  would  lay  out 
the  fir  ft  money.  There  are  a  good  many  French  who 
live  upon  it  already  j  but  for  want  of  title  to  the  land, 
they  do  not  improve  it  as  they  might  :  thefe  would  com- 
mence a  fmall  rent  immediately,  for  which  reafon  you 
ought  to  appoint  an  agent  j  and  if  you  do  not  like  tr» 
purchafe  the  other  half,  you  ought  to  come  to  fome  agree- 
ment with  Sir  Francis  M'Leane,  either  to  have  a  divilion, 
made  of  it,  or  to  bear  a  (hare  of  the  expences  ;  but  I 
would  by  all  means  recommend  the  former,  that  is  to  fay, 
to  purchafe  the  whole;  or  to  have  it  divided. 

N  The 


'ft     ) 

The  kind  of  man,  I  would  recommend  to  you  as  an 
agent,  would  be  an  KngKfli  farmer,  an  active  fellow, 
with  a  genius  a  little  above  the  common  run  of  them  ;  one 
that  would  not  be  fo  much  guided  by  old  cuftoms,  as  to 
attempt  ploughing  here  in  February,  becaufe  he  was 
ufed  to  do  fo  at  home  :  in  fhort,  a  man  who  can  think  a 
little  and  accommodate  both  himfeif  and  his  labour  to 
the  climate,  /is  you  have  a  plentiful  fortune,  no  mat- 
ter whether  or  not  he  has,  perhaps  better  not.  To  fuch 
a  man  you  might  give,  at  an  eaiy  rent,  as  much  land  as 
he  thought  would  make  him  a  compleat  farm.  He  ought 
to  bring  tome  fervants  with  him,  who  ought  to  be  bound 
for  three  or  four  years,  he  paying  them  yearly  wages, 
fomething  more  than  they  get  in  England.  He  ought  to 
bring  like  wife  all  the  iron  parts  of  every  kind  of  farming 
Utenfils,  and  all  the  neceffary  iron  work  for  building  him- 
felf  a  houfe  ;  and,  befide  that,  either  money,  or  a  cre- 
dit to  purchafe  cattle  and  a  year's  provifions. 

If  you  had  fuch  a  man  well  fettled  ;  and  it  fhou!d  be 
done  in  fuch  a  manner,  that  he  might  feel  as  few  incon- 
veniencies  as  potfible  ;  he  would  loon  bring  you  more  ; 
for  you  may  depend  upon  it,  the  foil  and  climate  both 
would  pleafe  him.  He  ought  to  have  a  power  ot  attor- 
ney to  let  your  lands,  and  indeed  as  ex  re:  ill  ve  a  one  as 
you,  from  your  knowledge  of  the  man,  would  -think 
prudent  to  entruft  him  with. 

But  after  all,  dear  Lee,  what  is  there  to  hinder  you 
frpm  taking  a  view  of  the  place  yourielf,  nay,  of  being 
•  our  own  agent.  Do  not  you  think  the  cultivating  you* 
iands,  arid  improving  your  cenftitution  and  fortune,  is  a 
much  more  rational,  and,  perhaps,  I  might  fay,  fenfible 
employment,  than  feampering  over  all  the  continent  of 
'i-'.uvore,  in  fearch  of  damned  Hungarian  fevers.  Come, 
Lee,  and  leave  Hume  to  cram  his  hiftory  down  the 
throats  of  his  countrymen,  for  few  others  read  it.  You 
will  find  your  gall  bladder  decreafe  in  fize  very  much, 
without  writing  ftriclures  upon  any  thing  \  or  even  abu- 
fing  a  king  or  a  Harrington,  as  foon  as  you  fet  foot  upon 
this    our    free    and   hofpital   coaft  :  and   to  encourage 

you, 


OJ) 


you,  as  I  know  you  like  good  living,  I  will  engage  to 
give  you  as  good  beef,  mutton,  poultry,  and  fait  lifh,  as 
you  ever  met  with,  and,  as  my  countrymen  fay,  a  hun- 
dred thoufand  welcomes.  And  now,  taking  it  tor  gran- 
ted, that  you  will  be  as  tired  with  reading  as  I  am  with 
writing,  by  the  time  you  get  thus  lar,  I  will  liuifh,  by 
alluring  you,  that  I  am  your  afie&iouate  hier.d,  and 
fervant, 

W.  PATTERSON, 

Colonel  Lee. 


Dear  S<r,  minft  r,  Feb.   ift,  1774, 

T  RECEIVED  two  letters  from  you  ;  one  by  M- . 
Hey,  the  other  by  the  pacquet  :  I  thank  you  moil  fi:  - 
ceu'yfor  both.  Your  firft  was  particularly  acceptable, 
as  it  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  renewing  and  of  improv- 
ing my  acquaintance  with  a  gentleman,  for  whole  cha- 
racter I  have  always  had  an  high  effeem.  My  particu- 
lar* friends  were  the  firft  who  took  notice  of  Ins  merit. 
They  imagined,  that  they  could  not  do  a  better  fer.ii- 
to  government,  in  a  newly  acquired  French  country, 
than  to  fend  them  one  of  the  belt  famples  v/e  were  ablo 
to  furnifh  of  plain  manly  Englilh  fenfe  and  integrity.  I 
wifh  thofe  who  rule  at  prefent  may  fhew,  by  thi  provifi- 
on  they  make  for  him  here,  that  fuch  qualities  are  ftilLiu 
fome  requeft  among  ourfelves. 

It  was  extremely  kind  of  you  to  remember,  your  friend  ; 
in  our  dull  worn  out  hemilphere,  among  the  infinite  et- 
jetls  of  curiofity,  th^  are  fo  exuberantly  fpread  oat  before 
you} in  the  v'aft  field  of  America.  There  u,  indeec, 
abundant  matter,  both  natural  and  political,  to  give  full 
fcope  to  a  mind  adtive  and  interprifing  like  youu>  ;  where 
fo  much  has  been  done  and  undone  \  and  where  ftill 
there  is  an  ample  range  for  wifdom  ami  miliake.  Either 
nmft  produce  confidcrable  effects  in  an  affair  of  fuch  ex- 
tent and  importance.  It  will  be  no  light  mifehief,  and 
nc  trivial  benefit.     When  one  tonhders,   what  might  be 

done 


(     "3*     ) 

done  there,  it  is  truly  miferable  to  think  of  its  prefent 
diftracted  condition  :  But  as  the  errors  which  have 
brought  things  into  that  (late  of  confufion  are  not  likely 
to  be  corrected  by  any  influence  of  ours,  upon  either  fide 
of  the  water,  it  is  not  wife  to  fpeculate  too  much  on  the 
fubjeft  ;  it  can  have  no  effect,  but  to  make  ourielves 
uneafy,  without  any  pofiible  advantage  to  the  public1. 

Here,  as  we  have  met  fo  we  continue,  in  the  mod  per- 
fect repofe.  It  has  been  announced  to  us,  that  we  arc 
to  have  no  bufinefs  but  the  gold  coin  j  this  has  not  ap- 
peared as  yet :  And  if  there  be  nothing  further  than  we 
near  of  intended,  it  will  come  on  time  enough.  The  po- 
litics ef  the  continent,  which  ufed  to  engage  your  atten- 
tion fo  much,  attract  no  part  of  ours.  Whether  the 
American  affairs  will  be  brought  before  us  is  yet  un- 
certain. 

Saturday,  I  heard  the  Maflachufetts  petition  againft 
their  governor  and  deputy,  difcuffed  before  council.  It 
■was  fpoken  to,  very  ably,  by  the  council  on  either  fide  j 
by  Meflirs.  Dunning  and  Lee,  for  the  province  j  by  Mr. 
Wedderburn  for  the  governors.  The  latter  uttered  a 
furibus  Philippic  againft  poor  Dofior  Franklin.  It  requir- 
ed all  his  Phiiofophy,  natural  and  acquired,  to  fupport 
him  againft  it.  1  heard  that  the  petition  will  be  rejected. 
The  council  was  the  fulleftof  any  in  our  memory  }  thir- 
ty-five attended. 

I  hope,  as  you  fay  nothing  of  it  in  your  lad  letter,  that 
your  fit  of  the  gout  was  but  gentle,  and  rather  a  iharp 
remedy  than  any  thing  that  deferves  to  be  called  a  dif- 
eafe.  With  many  thanks  for  your  obliging  remem- 
brance, and  all  good  wiih.es  for  an  agreeable  journey  and 
fafe  return,  I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  mod  obedient  humble  Servant, 

EDMUND  BURK. 


DllAR 


(     *37     ) 

Deat  Lee,  New-York,  June  loth,   177^- 

I  SHOULD  have  done  myfelf  the  pleafure  to  have 
wrote  to  you  before  •,  but  really  did  not  know  where  a 
letter  would  find  you  ;  fometimes  we  lieard  you  were 
gone  to  the  Weft-Indies  ;  at  another,  that  you  were 
gone  on  to  Carolina;  by  Mr.  Bird,  I  am  informed  you 
are  flill  in  Virginia. 

1  expected  before  now  to  have  heard  from  governor 
Chefter,  relative  to  your  lan£-in  Welt  Florida,  but  fup- 
pofe  I  (hall  lhortly.  I  fet  out  in  a  few  days  to  join  our 
worthy  friend  General  Gage  at  Bolton  j  he  is  come  out 
with  very  extraordinary  powers,  and  has  wrote  for  me  : 
It  is  a  very  fortunate  circumttance,  that  the  power  both 
civil  and  military  hath  fallen  into  the  hands  of  fo  mode- 
rate a  man  as  General  Gag  ■  ;  I  hope  he  will  gain  great 
credit  on  this  critical  occafion  }  his  abilities  arc  good, 
and  with  refpe£t  to  his  heart,  you  who  know  him  iu 
well,  will  allow  him  to  be  po  fie  fled  of  one  of  the  belt 
kind. 

Your  things  are  all  left  with  Mrs.  Aire,  who  will  tak  ; 
care  of  them.  I  inclofe  you  a  letter  from  Dunbar,  and 
one  I  picked  up  in  the  coffee-houfe  for  ycu.  Dag  worthy 
has  got  a  company  in  the  48th  regiment,  through^olu- 
nei  Vaughan's  intereft. 

I  am,  Dear  Lee,  with  great  truth, 
Youi's  mod  lincerelv, 

THOMAS  G ALIBLE. 
To  General  Lcc. 


My  dear  Lee,  TravellerVReft,  July  rft,  1774. 

I  RECEIVED  your  welcome  letter  by  Mr.  Wormly, 
and  live  in  daily  expectation  of  feeing  you  at  my  hut.  I 
now  wifh  more  than  ever  for  that  fatufattion,  as  the 
alarms  of  the  times  make  me  earneft  to  confult,  and  con- 
verfe  with  you  thereupon.  Until  actions  convince  me 
of  the  contrary,  I  am  refolved  to  think  Mr.  Gage  has 
tome  fccret  medicine  in  his  pocket,  to  heal  the  wounds 
N   2  thac 


(      M     ) 

that  threaten  the  life  of  American  liberty.  Surely  a 
man  lb  humane,  fo  fenfible,  fo  honourable,  fo  indepen- 
dent in  his  circumftances,  and  fo  great  from  family  ex- 
pectations, would  never  undertake  a  bufinefs,  fit  only 
for  an  abandoned  defperado,  or  a  monfter  in  human 
fhape,  a  General  Murray,  a  Macro,  or  a  Ravilliac. 

I  cannot  think  what  detains  vou  lb  far  to  the  South- 
ward, at  this  feafon  of  the  year  •,  without  any  difparage- 
ment  to  Williamfburg,  health,  and  inch  as  you  like  for 
affociatcs,  are  more  certainly  to  be  met  with  to  the 
Northward  ,  I  know  not,  how  vou  find  it,  but  the  older 
.1  grow,  I  become  lefs  and  lefs  inclined  to  new  acquain- 
tance :  Selfiflinefs  and  fycophantry  pcflefs  (o  generally 
the  minds  of  men,  that  I  think  the  many  ate  belt  avoid- 
ed, and  the  few  only  who  are  liberal  and  fmccre,  to  be 
fought  for  and  carened.  I  therefore  flick  fteadily  to  the 
cultivation  of  my  farm,  am  intimate  with  icw,  read 
when  I  have  time,  and  content  myfelf  with  fucli  do- 
meftic  comforts  as  my  circumftances  and  fortune  affofd 
me.  I  wifh  therefore,. moft  anxioufly,  you  would  come 
to  my  retreat,  and  there  let  us  philofophize  on  the  vices 
and  virtues  ofthisbufy  world,  the  follies  and  the  vani- 
ties of  the  great  vulgar  and  fmall. 

Laugh  where  we  pleafe,  be  cp.nilii  where  we  can, 
And  jui'dty  the  ways  of  God  to  mar.. 

Mrs.  Gates  is  earned  in  defiring  to  Tec  you  under  her 
ro.jf,  where  a  good  bed  is  provided  foryoft,  two  or  three 
flaves  to  fnpply  all  your  wants  and  whimfias  ;  and  fpace 
enough  about  us  for  you  to  exercife  away  all  your  fpleen 
and  gloomy  moods,  whenibever  they  diftrefs  you.  In 
my  neighbourhood. there  is  this  moment  as  fine  a  farm, 
mill,  and  tract  of  laud  to  be  fold  as  any  in  America,  and 
provided  it  is  convenient  to  you  to  pay  down  half  the 
price,  I  ath  convinced  you  may  have  it  a  very  great  bar- 
gain. It  is  altogether  two  thoufand  four  hundred  acres, 
nt  thirty  millings  ftcrlmg  an  acre  ;  I  am  fatisfied  you 
:.:i  -hi  have  it  (o.  Bv paving  down  about  one  thoufand 
pbht  hundred  pdund«  fteriing,  you  maybe    put  m  pof- 

feflion 


(     129    ) 

feflion  of  an  eflatc,  that  ten  years  hence  will  be  worth 
(jvcn  thoufand  pounds  fterling  ;  arid  I  take  it  for  grant* 
ed,  that  you  may  have  the  payment  of  the  reft  of  tire 
ghtrchafe  money,  at  eafy  inftallments,  and  that  too  with- 
out iutcrelt ;  io  by  laying  out  a  thoufand  pounds  fter- 
ling more,  in  (locking  and  improvements,  your  produce 
will  yield  you  a  fine  living,  and  whcrewithall  to  pay 
your  annual  inltallment,  bargained  for  in  the  purchafc. 
I'fuppofc  you  have  procured  from  I,ord  Dunmore  his 
warrant  for  your  live  thoufand  acres  upon  the  Ohio, 
that  will  be  very  foon  of  confiderable  value.  As  to  the 
Indians,  the  behaviour  of  certain  of  the  white  people  ii 
beyond,  all  comparifon  abominable  towards  thofe  unhap- 
py natives  •,  not  content  with  quiet  pofieilion  of  all  the 
laud  on  this  iide  the  Ohio,  they  demand  as  a  prelimina- 
ry to  a  peace,  all  the  land  between  that  river  and  the 
Miffifippi — but  this  Ilory  is  too  long  for  a  letter,  you 
iLall  know  the  whole  of  this  iniquitous  affair  when  we 
meet — the  gentleman  who  does  me  the  favour  to  pre- 
(cnt  you  this  letter,  has  the  pleafure  of  your  acquaint- 
ance, and  can  very  fully  inform  you  of  the  exceeding 
v.  ickednefs  and  ablurdity  of  the  mcafures  purfucd,  and 
purfuing,  againft  the  Indians.  I  have  read  with  wonder 
and  aftonifhmont  Gage's  p"och1jnations  ;  furely  this  is 
Dot  tlic  fame  man,  you  and  I  knew  fo  well  in  days  of 
yore  ;  Inn  that  men  lhould  change,  neither  you  nor  I 
will  be  furprifed  at  ;  it  is  rather  nutter  of  amazement 
when  they  do  not. 

Auguft  the  Seventeenth  :  I  am  this  inftant  returned 
from  Baltimore,  and  hoped  to  have  croffed  upon  yovt, 
ir  route  to  the  Northward,  but,  like  Swift's  Mor- 
.ctaudo,  you  were  vanifhed-  1  was  forry  for  it,  as  I  might 
have  pi  evaded  upon  you  to  have  tempered  your  zeal 
with  caution,  before  all  fueh  perfons  as  may  reasonably 
be  fufpe&cd  to  w^tch  your  words  and  actions,  where 
your  zeal  in  the  noble  caufe  you  mention  can  be  exerted 
to  affect.,  too  much  cannot  be  fhewn  ;  but  be  careful 
how  you  act,  for  be  aflured  Gage  knows  you  too  well, 
and  knows  you  know  iiim  too  well  not  to  be  glad  of  agjpk. 

plaunble? 


(    RP    ) 

plaufible  pretence  to  prevent  your  good  fervices  in  the 
public  caufe.  Farewel,  my  friend  •,  remember  I  am, 
what  I  have  always  profefTed  myfelf  to  be,  and  that  I 
am  ready  to  rifque  my  life  to  preferve  the  liberty  of  the 
"Weftern  world. 

On  this  condition  would  I  build  my  fame, 

And  emulate  the  Greek  or  Roman  name  ; 

Think  Freedom's  right  bought  cheaply  with  my  blood, 

And  die  with  pleafure  for  my  country's  good. 

While  I  live,  I  am 

Your's  unchangeably, 

HORATIO  GATES. 


My  dear  Lr.n,  London,  Sep.  3d,  1774. 

I  RECEIVED  your  long  letter  with  great  pleafure, 
and  will  anfwer  it  as  fully  as  I  am  able.  You  muft 
have  mifunderftood  me,  in  what  I  faid  of  the  bill  to  al- 
ter the  Maflachufetts  government,  if  you  imagined  I  had 
either  concurred  in,  or  even  forborne  to  exprefs  my  ful- 
left  difapprobation  of  it,  when  it  was  depending  in  the 
houfe>  The  fa£l:  is  fo  much  otherwife,  that  I  fought  it 
through  every  ftage,  almoft  alone,  when  moft  of  the  op- 
pofition  were  attending  the  Ne vv -Market  meeting,  or 
other  occupations,  equally  entitled  to  be  preferred  to  that 
<luty.  I  may  have  faid  indeed,  that  I  prefer  the  form  of 
the  Englifh  government  to  that  of  any  other  country 
upon  earth,  becaufe  it  appears  to  me  moft  calculated  to 
.reconcile  neceflary  reftraint  and  natural  liberty,  and  to 
draw  the  line  between  them.  It  is  the  government  I 
was  born  under,  I  am  happy  to  live  under,  and  would 
willingly  die  to  preferve  and  tranfmit  entire  ;  but  I  look 
upon  the  firft  principle  of  that  conflitution  to  be,  that 
the  whole  mud  be  governed  by  the  will  of  the  whole, 
and  that  any  government  where  the  authority  refiding 
with  theyi"u;  is  fupported  by  any  other  power  than  that 
of  the  #;««y,  in  confequence  of  their  free  concurrence 
and  fuU  approbation,  is  the  worft  of  tyranny.     Judge 

then, 


C    141    ) 

then,  my  dear  friend,  whether  I  could  approve  of  tear- 
ing from  a  free  and  happy  people  that  form  of  govern- 
ment which  had  been  purchased  with  the  blood,  and 
eftablifiied  by  the  wifdom  of    their  anceftors  ;  and  of 
fubverting  that  excellent  polity,  endeared  to   them  by 
their  profperity,  and  fanfltified  by  the  mod  laudable  of 
human  predilections,  a  veneration  for  their  anceftors, 
and  an  enthufiafm  for  the  permanence  of  their  liberties. 
Nolumus  Leges  Atiglia  mutarii  was  the  nobleft  expref- 
fion  that  ever  bore  teftimony  to  the  fpirit  of  a  free  legif- 
lature.  I  think  it  as  laudable  at  Bolton  now,  as  in  Lon- 
don fome  centuries  ago.    So  far  I  (land  upon  the  ground 
of  natural  right  and  manly  feeling — thus   much,  I  fay, 
becuufe — Homo   fum — but  to  defcend  to  the  humbler 
ground  of  policy,  nothing  can  be  fo  abfuru,  9*  impoli- 
tic, as  to  (hake  a  frame  fanctified  by  long  pofl'effion,  for 
the  caprice  of  a  moment,  or  the  fancies  of  a  few  j  to 
facrifice  the  wifdom  of  3ges  to  the  prefumption  of  a:» 
hour  ;  and  to  divert  the  ftream  of  government,  which 
has  fertilifed  the  country  and   enriched  the  people,  by 
channels  which  it  has  gradually  formed  for  itfelf,  by 
furmounting  or  eluding  all  the  obftaclcs  it  has  met  with 
in  its  courfe  ;  from  thofe  channels  by  dams  raifed  by 
ftrange   hands  unacquainted  with  the  country,  which  if 
they  arc  not  borne  down  by  the  torrent  muft  deluge  the 
country  and  deflroy  the  ancient  land- marks.  If  therefore 
I  prefer  in  fpeculation  the  government  of  Virginia  to 
that  of  MafTachufetts-Bay,  it  is  not  from  thinking  that 
what  appears  bed  in  the  abftract,  mould  be  impofed  on 
all :  on  the  contrary,  I  am  convinced  that  the  minds  of 
individuals  and  the  manners  of  a  people  form  and  adapt 
themfelves  naturally  and  imperceptibly  to  the  mode  of 
government,  under  which  they  are  born.     The  modifi- 
cations of  municipal  inftitutions  are  in  themfelves  indif- 
ferent,  provided  they  are  approved  by  the  people  •,  but 
it  is  of  the  efTence  of  freedom,  and  common  to  all  free 
governments,  that-  the  people  ihould  be  convinced  the 
laws  they  live  under  are  of  their  own  chufing ;  and  that 
there  is  no  power  on  earth  that  can  prolong  their  exift- 

ence, 


(   w   > 

ence,  or  give  force  to  their  injunctions  one  hour,  afu>r 
the  difapprobation  of  the  mafs  of  the  people  i»  fignincd. 

I  have  been  the  more-full  upon  this  fubject,  becaufe  I 
would  not  willingly  be  millaken  in  my  principles  upon 
fo  material  a  point.  Now  I  am  upon  the  iubjeCt.  of  Maf- 
fachufettSj  I  cannot  help  exprefling  my  furprize  that  you 
fliould  liave  be-cn  I'o  far  mifinformed,  as  to  have  bclieveil 
that  I,  amongft  the  reft,  could  fpeak  with  "  approbati- 
on of  that  fcoundrel  Hutchinfon,"  fo  far  from  it,  that  I 
agree  with  you  in  the  epithet,  and  was  the  only  p'erfon 
in  the  houfe  that  declared  my  deteftation  of  his  charac- 
ter, and  my  conviction  that  his  whole  conduct  had  been 
that  of  a  parricide,  who  had  attempted  to  ruin  his  coun- 
try, to  ferve  his  own  little  narrow  felfiih  purpofes.  This 
I  did  in  fuch  pointed  terms  that  I  was  informed  he  had 
afterwards  waited  upon  a  friend  of  mine,  who  did  not 
fee  his  character  in  fo  juft  a  light,  to  thank  him  for  what 
he  was  pleafed  to  call,  defending  him  again  ft  me.  Be 
affined,  I  fliall  never  fpeak  well  of  a  man  who  recom- 
mends an  abridgment  of  Englifh  liberties,  in  any  part 
of  the  globe,  where  one  fpark  remains  unfmothered  by 
corruption,  and  unextinguifhed  by  violence.  As  to  the 
Quebec  Bill,  I  can,  with  pleafure,  allure  you,  that  I  op- 
pofed  it,  with  activity  throughout  j  and  though  I  cocrld 
not  overfet  it,  I  was  at  leaft  fortunate  enough  to  fet  a 
defined  bound  to  defpotifm  •,  and  fay,  fo  far  fliall  thou 
go,  and  no  farther,  by  drawing  die  line  which  protected 
New-York  and  Pennfylvania  ;  though  I  have  fmce  been 
told,  that  Burke  takes  the  merit  to  himfelf,  but  upon 
what  grounds  I  know  not,  as  I  propofed  the  line  without 
any  communication  with  him. 

As  to  myfelf,  I  am  out  of  Parliament,  without  any 
profpect  of  being  in  ;  and  though  I  fliould  have  thought 
it  infamous  to  have  deferted  my  poft  and  not  endeavour- 
ed to  get  in,  yet  I  hardly  can  fay,  that  I  much  regret  my 
being  out  there  is  fo  little  profpect  of  doing  good. 

I  am,  dear  Lee, 

Your's,  &c. 

*  #  #  *    *  #  #  #^ 

Sis 


(     M3     ) 

Sir,  Balti.-.cre,  Jan.  i  ;th,  177& 

YOUR  civilities  to  me  when  at  ProfpeiCt-hiil,  were 
fuch  as  I  expected  from  the  foldier  and  the  gentleman, 
and  demand  my  w'armeft  thanks.^  I  hope  I  fhall  ever 
bear  a  grateful  remembrance  of  them. 

I  fee  by  the  papers,  that  you  are  removed  to  Newport, 
in  Rhode-Ifland,  and  therefore  fufpe£t  that  the  minifte- 
rialilta,  unable  to  bear  the  preflure  of  want,  and  the  in- 
clemencies of  the  feafon,  intend  to  remove  from  Bolton, 
and  make  Rhode-Ifland  their  head  quarters,  at  leaf!  for 
fome  time  ;  but  of  this  you  can  bed  judge,  whole  expe- 
rience, in  fome  degree,  enables  you  to  penetrate  the  de- 
fii^ns  of  thoie  in  power. 

The  King's  (peech  to  both  Houfes  of  Parliament, 
at  the  opening  of  the  fefliqn,  clearly  evinces  the  neceihty 
of  fpeedy  and  arre&ual  exertions  on  the  part  of  this  con- 
tinent, for  the  purpofe  of  oppofing,  with  force  of  arms, 
the  infamous  plan  adopted  by  a  venal  miniitry,  for  fub- 
verting  our  molt  incitimable  privileges.  We  fhould  im- 
mediately unite,  and  call  forth  every  fpark  of  virtue  in  fo 
great  and  important  a  contelt,  as  all  hopes  of  an  accom- 
modation are  now  loft.  America  is  happy  in  having 
for  generals,  gentlemen  experienced  in  military  operati- 
ons. 

With  ardent  wifhesthat  America  may  rife  fuperior  to 
all  opprefiaons,  and  become  independent,  I  take  the  liberty 
i>f  fubferibing  myfelf, 

Str, 
Your  obliged,  humble  fervant, 

GEORGE  LUX, 
The  Hon.  Major  Gen.  Lee. 


My  nwx  General,  Ph 'ila  lelphia,  Feb^tjth,  X77Q 

FOR  TUNE  feems  to  be  in  a  good  humour  with  you. 
It  is  not  enough  that  you  have  triumphed  over  external 
and  internal  enemies  at  New-York,  but  you  are  about 
v>  enjoy  new  triumphs  in  another  part  of  the  continent. 

I  tremble 


k    *44     ) 

I  tremble  only  at  the  price  of  victory  on  the  plains  of 
Abraham. 

I  prefage  the  furviving  your  conquefts  from  one  part 
of  your  character,  and  that  is,  you  have  a  wonderful  ta- 
lent  of  infufing  your  fpirit  into  the  minds  of  your  troops. 
Should  your  blood  mingle  with  the  blood  of  Wolfe, 
Montcalm,  and  Montgomery,  pofterity  will  execrate  the 
plains  of  Abraham  to  the  end  of  time. 

Your  appointment  to  the  Canada  expedition  gave  all 
your  friends  here  great  pleafure.  I  think  it  is  more  than 
probable,  the  principal  force  of  our  enemies  will  be  fent 
to  that  quarter.  Canada  is  dearer  to  the  king  than  all 
the  other  colonies  put  together,  as  it  is  the  only  part  of 
the  Britifh  empire  in  which  arbitrary  power  is  eftablifhed 
by  law.  Should  that  province  become  the  feat  of  war, 
we  (hall  have  no  reafon  to  complain  \  for  our  fea-coafts 
and  fea-port  towns  are  in  a  poor  fituation  to  receive  our 
enemies, 

The  Gulph  and  River  St.  Laurence,  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
will  concur  with  the  elements  in  embarrafling  them.  Mr. 
Pitt  conquered  America  in  Germany  ;  who  knows  but 
General  Lee  may  conquer  Britain  in  America  ? 

I  need  not  tell  you,  how  much  pleafure  it  will  give 
me  to  receive  a  few  lines  from  you  by  all  the  exprefTes  you 
fend  to  the  Congrefs.  I  (hall  write  to  you  moft  faithful- 
ly by  the  return  of  each  of  them.  Colonel  Thompfon 
fpeaks  in  raptures  of  you  in  all  companies. 

The  bearer  of  this  letter  is  Mr.  Paine,  the  celebrated 
author  of  Common  Senfe. 

Adieu,  Yours,  &c. 

An  OLD  FRIEND. 
Gen.  Lee. 


Sir,  Winchefter,  Jan.  27th,  1776- 

YOUR  favour  of  the  tenth  ultimo,  did  not  reach  me 
till  the  twenty-fecond  inftant.  I  that  day  wrote  you  an 
anfwer  by  one  Mr.  Campbell  who  was  on  his  way,  and 
who  promifed  to  give  my  letter  a  conveyance,  if  he  did 

not 


(    Ms    ) 

not  fee  you.  I  informed  you,  that  I  faw  no  objections 
to  your  paying  off  the  incumbrances  on  your  land,  and 
the  future  payments  whenever  it  is  convenient  for  you  to 
do  fo. 

I  mould  be  happy  to  fee  the  important  fubject  of  the 
independence  of  North  America,  difcufTed  in  the  per- 
fpicuous  and  able  manner  you  are  capable  of.  I  have 
troubled  you  with  fome  of  my  crude  thoughts,  to  afford 
vou  an  opportunity  when  leifure  well  permit,  and  incli- 
nation lead  you,  to  explain  my  miltakes  and  correct  my 
errors.  From  the  commencement  of  the  prefent  un- 
happy dilpute,  I  confidered  the  fhedding  of  blood,  if  that 
event  mould  take  place,  as  the  -.era,  at  which  would  ter- 
minate the  Britifh  empire  in  America  ;  or  the  colonies 
be  fubjugated  to  the  abfolute  dominion  of  parliament  ; 
and  when  hoftilities  commenced,  my  mind  was  only  agi- 
tated with  the  means  of  defending  ourfelves,  and  form- 
ing a  conilitution  which  would  fecure  fubftantial  liberty 
to  the  people  ;  when  I  found  the  Congrefs  entertained 
different  views,  that  they  had  again  petitioned  the  king 
for  reconciliation,  and  declared  to  their  fellow  fubjects 
throughout  the  empire,  that  their  only  end  in  taking  up 
arms  was  to  procure  a  redrefs  of  grievances  and  fecure 
their  properties  and  conftitutional  rights,  folemnly  dif- 
cl aiming  every  idea  of  eftablifhing  an  independent  em- 
pire, it  gave  a  different  turn  to  my  thoughts.  I  reflect- 
ed that  our  anceftors  have  fought  many  battles,  and  flied 
torrents  of  blood  in  fupport  of  their  conftitutional  rights, 
and  whatever  may  have  been  the  fate  of  arbitrary  princes, 
the  couftitution  was  ever  held  facred,  the  inftance  of 
Charles's  reign  only  excepted.  Th'e  Whigs  were  then 
obliged  to  join  with  the  Tories,  in  reltoring  royalty  in  its 
luftre  to  get  rid  of  a  phantom  which  the  Independents 
had  railed  under  the  name  of  liberty.  The  hope  of  a 
vc-vmion  with  our  brethern  of  Great  Britain,  and  of  the 
increasing  grandeur  and  proipcrity  of  the  whole  empire; 
I  •,  I  confefs,  had  fomMhihg  agreeable  in  it.  I  there- 
fore with  eagernefs  iuveftigated  the  propofed  plan  of  ope- 
rations, to  enable  mc  to  judge  of  the  probable  event, 
O  and 


(     jttf    ) 

and  I  found,  or  thought  I  found  thefecurity  of  our  li- 
berties in  connection  v\  ith  Great  Britain  almoft  certainly 
attainable;  at  any  rate  more  practicable  than  the  eftabliih- 
ing  an  independent  ftare  ;  for  the  following  among  other 
reafons  -t  that  the  people  of  America  were  deter  minately 
united  in  fupport  of  that  meafure  ;  that  every  infult  and 
injury   from  admhnftration  only  tended    to  animate  and 
cement  ;  that  the  gre.ateft  trading  cities  and  moil  refpec- 
table  characters  in  England  are  our  friends  •,  that  even 
our  enemies  in  parliament  dare  not  ftand  t.he  attack  on 
the    proper  ground  ;  but,  in  order  to  carry  their  point, 
have  always  infilled   we  were  aiming  at   independency. 
That  the  belief  of  this  is  the  fole  reafon  we  have   any 
enemies  among  the  people  of  England,  and  though  I  am 
of  opinion,  the    governing  powers  of  Britain  would  ra- 
ther lofe  the  colonic.,  totally,  than  yield  one  iota  of    their 
prcteniions,  the  people   will  think  very  differently  when 
convinced  our  views  extend  no  further  than  to  the  fecu- 
rity  of  thofe  rights,  which  they  themfelves  hold  ell'ential 
to  liberty.     That  it  would  be  impofub.e  for  government 
to  carry  on  a  war  againft  the  Inclinations,  and  fo  deftruc- 
tive  io    the  interelts  of  the  people,,  as  the  prefent  mult 
obvioufly  appear,   when,   it  ia  remembered,  the  caufe  of 
our  conteft  is  the  ajfTumed  power  of  parliament,  to  tax 
the  colonies,  to  alter  our  forms  of  government,  to  trans- 
port us  to  Britain  for  the  trial  of  fuppofed  offences,  and 
to  make  laws,  regulating  our  internal  police.     That  the 
i'word  would  even  drop  from  the  hand  of  a  Britifh  fol- 
dier,  if  he  believed  it  pointed  againft  the  breait  of  a  man 
contending  for  his  birth-right.     That  an  attempt  to  eita- 
blilh  an  independency  would  unite  England  as  one  man 
againft  us  ;  and  though  {he  is  burdened   with  an  enor- 
mous   debt,  and  deprived  of  a  molt   valuable  branch    of 
commerce,  Ihe  has  it  Hi    great  reiburces  ;  and   it  is  not 
eafy  to  forefee  the  confequences  of  the  utmoft  exertions 
of  her  power,     ^elides,  it  appears  to  be   the  intereft  of 
Europe,  that  America  fhould  remain  dependent.     The 
ppwer  and  importance  of  England,  which  by  a  defection 
of  the  colonies,  Ihe  would  lofe,  is  neccfiary  in  the  Euro- 
pean- 


(    m:    ) 

£ean  fyftem.     Holland  and  Portugal,  I  think,  owe  their 
political  exiltence  to  her;  and  even    thofe  ftates  vchich 
might  widi  to  fee  her  deprefl'ed,  were  their  fnterefts  con- 
fined to  Europe,   would   dread    greater   evils  from   the 
eftablifhment  of  an  independent  empire   in  North   Ame- 
rica, the  certain  confequences  of  which   would    he,  I  ap- 
prehend, the  lofs  of  Mexico,  South    America,  and   the 
Weft  India  Iflands,  to  whomsoever  belonging.     But  it  is 
a  neceffary  inquiry,  on  what  terms   can  our  difference 
be  adjufted  which  will  fecure   us  from  future  contefts  ? 
I  anfwer,  it  is  impoffiblc.     The  nature  of  human  affairs 
is  fuch,  that  no  political  fyftem  can  be  eftablifhed  which 
the  folly  of  weak,  or  ambition  of  wicked   me*n  will  not 
in  time  fubvert.     Let  Great  Britain  relinquifh  her  claim 
of  internal  legiflation  and  taxation;  let  ftated    times  be 
limited  for  the  holding  and  duration  of  anemblies,   and 
counfellors,  dependent   on  the   Crown,   be  deprived 
legi  dative  powers,  or  hold   their  places  during  life;  and 
Jet  fupreme  judges  be  appointed  in   each  colony,  to  hold 
their  places  during  good  behaviour,  with  certain  and  ad- 
equate fabrics.     All  this  would  be  no  real  injury  to  Eng- 
land, the  only  advantage  flie  ever  did,  or  ever  can  receive 
from  America  is  her  commerce,  an  equitable   fhare   of 
which  ought  to  be  fecured   to  her  by   a  grand  eommercal 
fyftem,  to  be   agreed  on  by  the   legillators  of  the  two 
countries,  and  to  remain  unalterable,   except  by   mutual 
confent.     Such   a  plan  of  accommodation,  I  think  of- 
fers as  fair  for  the  permanent  fecurity  of  peace,  wealth, 
and   liberty,  as  any  1    have  heard  or   can  devife   for  the 
government  of  America  in  an  independent  date.     I  take 
it  for  granted,  as  I  have  never  heard  it  difputed,   that  a 
popular  or  democratic  government  mud  take  place,  which 
in  its   moft  perfect  ftate,  I  think  much   inferior  to  the 
mixed  government  of  Britain  ;  for  I  hold  it  as  a  maxim, 
that  wherever  the  fupreme  power  is   vefted  in   one  man, 
or  one  body  of  men,  the  liberty  of  the  fubject  is  at  belt 
precarious.     It  appears  from  hiftory  that  popular  fury  is 
as  formidable  and  often  excrcifed  with  as  much  injultice 
as  royal  indignation.     Frequent  elections  are  no  fecurity 

in 


(  M  ) 

in  this  cafe,  the  (pint  of  the  people  always  influences  the 
representative  body,  and  if  a  man  becomes  unpopular, 
however  innocent,  his  ruin  is  inevitable.  To  you  i 
not  give  inftances  •,  neither  is  it  poffible  in  fuch  a  conlti- 
tution  to  render  the  judicial  powers  totally  independent. 
The  fame  body  of  men  who  have  the  appointment  of  the 
judges,  having  alfo  the  power  of  removing  them, will  car- 
ry popular  prejudice  even  to  the  feats  of  juflice.  In  this 
refpedt,  England  has  the  advantage  of  all  other  nations. 
In  cool  difpafhonate  hours,  the  three  branches  of  the  ie- 
gillature  concur  in  enacting  laws  for  the  general  good  of 
the  community.  The  meaneft  fubject  cannot  be  punifhed 
unlefs  he  tranfgreffes  thofe  laws,  neither  can  the  judges  be 
difplaced  for  faithfully  executing  them,  without  the  like 
concuiTence.  This  protects  individuals  equally  from  po- 
pular violence,  and  the  arbitrary  mcafures  of  kings  and 
courtiers.  But  is  America  capable  of  receiving  a  democra- 
tic government  ?  Have  we  that  induftry,  frugality,  cecono- 
my,  that  virtue  which  is  neceffary  to  conftitute  it  ?  Laws 
and  conftitutions  mud  be  adapted  to  the  manners  of  the 
people  ;  they  do  not,  they  cannot  form  them,  Whenever 
the  manners  change,  the  laws  change  with  them,-or  lofe 
their  force.  Is  not  North  America  too  extenfivc  for  a 
popular  government  ?  But  I  find  the  fpirit  of  the  times 
is  againft  a  union  •,  we  mufi  then  become  a  confederacy 
of  republics,  each  having  fupreme  powers  within  itfelt. 
Does  net  this  afford  a  profpect  of  perpetual  wars  and 
internal  feuds,  till  feme  one  colony,  or  perhaps  one  man, 
becomes  mailer  of  the  whole  continent  ?  Recur  to  the 
hiftoric  page,  and  point  out  the  age  and  country  where 
this,  under  fimilar  circumftances,  has  not  been  the  cafe  ? 
the  united  provinces  being  furrounded  by  more  power- 
ful ftates,  materially  diftinguifhes  their  fituation  from 
that  of  thefe  colonies.  A  congrefs  or  general  council 
for  regulating  the  affairs  of  the  whole  confederacy,  will 
hardly  be  fufficient  to  maintain  peace.  There  was  a 
general  council  of  the  Englifh  Heptarchy,  yet  that  iiland 
was  an  uninterrupted  feenc  of  blood  and  flaughter,  till  uni- 
ted under  one  head.  There  is  a  general  diet  of  the  Ger- 
man 


C    149    ) 

man  empire,  yet  every  one  knows  that  the  princes  of  the 
empire  fubmit  to  its  decrees,  juft  as  far  as  fuits  their  o\\  n 
purpofes.  Greece  had  her  Amphiclyons,  yet  was  not 
without  inteftine  wars. 

The  country  being  called  to  arms  for  the  exprefs  pur- 
pofe  of  defending  and  fecuring  her  conftitutional  liber- 
ty, is  there  not  an  inconfiftency  in  employing  thole  arms 
to  quite  different  purpofes,  at  leaft  till  it  is  known  whe- 
ther the  original  end  be  attainable  ?  and  finely  the  mod 
fanguine  cQuld  not  expect  that  point  fo  foon  determin- 
ed ?  Or  that  we  could  force  England  to  a  compliance 
with  our  terms  in  the  courfe  of  one  campaign. 

An  apology  might  well  be  expedited  for  this  trouble  ; 
if  I  had  a  good  one  to  offer,  you  fliould  have  it.  Some 
flight  touches  on  the  fubjecl,  with  feveral  expreflions  of 
regard  interfperfed  through  your  letters  of  bufmefs,  em- 
boldened me  to  take  this  liberty,  and  further,  to  requeft 
an  anfwer. 

I  am  one  of  thofe  who  have  ever  wifhed  and  gloried 
in  the  honour  and  profperity  of  the  Britifh  empire  ;  but 
if  a  feperation  takes  place,  interelt,  inclination,  every 
confideration  will  induce  me  to  tak<?pait  with  my  native 
land,  and  mv  belt  endeavours  (hall  nor  be  wanting  to 
render  the  Americans  a  free,  happv  and  independent 
people.  Any  lights  which  you  may  throw  on  the  fuh- 
jecl,  fhall  be  faithfully  improved  to  that  purpofe,  as  far 
as  my  narrow  iphere  (and  it  is  ;i  very  narrow  one)  per- 
mits. The  arguments  of  pamphleteers,  and  newf] 
fcribblers,  on  both  fides  of  the  queftion,  have  been  fo 
abfurd,  fallacious,  or  at  leaft  fuperficial,  that  very  little 
inftruction  or  plealure,  could  be  derived  from  reading 
them.  Heartily  wiihing  you  fuccefs  in  evevv  patriotic 
exertion  of  your  abilities,  I  remain  with  efieem,  Sir, 
Your  very  humble  fervant, 

ALEX.  WHITE. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


O  2  Sir 


(     ISO    ) 

Sir.  Stafford  Fet.  5th,  1775. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  I  had  waited  upon  you  at  Phi- 
ladelphia,    I  proceeded  to  New- York,  and  rinding  much 
difficulty  in  purfuing  my  intended  journey,  I  delivered 
your  difpatches  to  Mr.  Lewis,  by  direction  of  Mr.  Van  B. 
Livingfton,  and  wrote  to  you  at  my  return,  acquainting 
you  therewith.     1  have  not  wrote  to  you  fo  frequently  as 
I  would  do,  imagining  that  your  time  might  be  employed 
better,  in  matters  of  greater  moment  to  the  public  ;  and 
where  public  utility  is  in  queftion,  apologies  become  un- 
necefiary  ;  be  pleafed  therefore  to  accept  the  following 
hints  from  one  who  has  feen  fervice.     I  am  amazed    at 
a  fhip  or  two  laying   at  New-York  for  fome  time  paft  ; 
I  never  faw  two  veflcls  that  lay  in  more  danger    were 
drey  attacked,  and  they  alio  know  it.     The  Afia  lay  long 
in  the  North-River,   and  refufed  to  go  into  the  Sound, 
until  Parker,  a  fenior  captain,  was  fent  with  a  fhip  to  rein- 
force him  with  poflitive  orders  from  the  admiral  to  join  ; 
it  may  alfo  be  feen  by  their  writing  to  the   mayor,  and 
by  Parker's  threatening  and  bullying   the  town.     There 
are  three  ways  of  taken  or   deftroying  thefe  fhips,  could 
it  be   kept   fecret :  Firft,  by  boarding ;  for  as  the  Alia 
mull   ground   at  low   water,  the  fprings   upon   cables 
would  be  of  no  ufe  ;  and,  I  apprehend,   that  her  lower 
guns  could  not  range  over  the  wharf  when  aground,there- 
rbre  a  few  guns  with  gra.pe-fhot,  run  down  upon  the 
wharfs,  upon  her  bow  and   quarters,  would  effectually 
fweep  and  clear  her  decks,   while  the  people  boarded. 
Secondly  if  there  were  morters,  or  even  guns   to  throw 
ffombuftible  matter  on  the  decks,  into  the  rigging,  to  flick 
en  her  fides,  with  grape  as  before,  to  prevent  extinguifh- 
ment,  the  guns  with  the  grape  would  be  out  of  the  power 
of  her  guns  while  aground.     The  third  and  belt,  method 
•as  I  imagine  I  would  undertake  myfelf  with  a  reafona- 
bie  perfon  to  command  the   detachment,   as  fecond  in 
command,  or  engineer,  or  conductor  of  the  works,  or,  as 
I  told  you,  in  any  character,  fo  that  I  might  be  fervicable 
to  the  caufe. 

The 


(     *$*     ) 

'  The  method  I  will  hear  lay  down  to  the  bed  of  my  - 
ability  ;  there  is  Long-Ifland  and  Nutten-Ifland,  well 
lituated  to  place  guns ;  and,  I  imagine,  three  or  four 
hundred  men  would  be  fuflicient  to  ccmpleat  in  one 
night  all  the  neceflary  works  :  The  greatcll  difficulty 
would  be,  to  get  cannon  to  Nutten-Maml,  but  they  might 
come  from  the  Narrows  by  night  in  flats.  It  would  be 
impoffible  to  point  out  either  the  facilities  or  difficulties 
of  the  undertaking  in  the  courfeof  a  letter  •,  the  greateif. 
difficulty  will  be,  to  keep  it  fecret  from  the  people  of 
Staten-lfland,  Long-Ifland  and  New- York.  If  this  mat- 
ter is  not  foon  put  in  execution,  they  will  be  reinforced, 
or  thev  will  fall  into  the  North-River  ;  but  if  there  was 
lodgment  with  fome  guns  upon  Nutten  Ifland,  with  the 
town  batterry  to  aflilt,  they  could  not  get  out  without 
running  aground. 

As  foon  as  the  batteries  upon  Long-Ifland  begin  to 
play,  there  (hould  be  fome  of  the  Connecticut  men,  or 
fome  others,  ready  to  run  down  upon  the  wharfs,  with 
fome  few  guns  a-head  and  a-ftern,  with  grape,  to  clear 
the  decks,  and  lire  into  the  ports.  While  loading,  the 
batteries  will  have  this  advantage,  that  they  can  play  by 
night  if  clear  ;  this  method  will  fo  harrafs  and  difable 
them  that  they  mult  ftrike  quickly  or  they  will  be  board- 
ed. When  this  affair  is  finillied  the  men  ffiouid  imme- 
diately march  to  the  Narrows,  and  erecTt  a  battery  that 
would  keep  all  out,  and  all  in  j  twenty  guns,  properly 
difpofed  would  fink  any  veflel  that  would  dare  attempt 
to  go  up,  and  would  be  out  of  the  range  of  all  lhot  from 
the  (hipping.  Your  cruifers  would  find  (belter  and  a 
good  harbour.  Had  this  been  done  laft  fummer,  our 
enemies  at  Bolton  would  have  ftarved  before  now.  There 
ffiouid  be  a  camp  formed  there  earjy  in  the  fpring,  and 
two  ftrong  forts  erected  with  retrenchments  to  cover 
them  •,  for  vou  may  depend  upon  it,  there  will  be  a  -vi- 
gorous pufli  made  early  to  get  up  the  North-River  ; 
works  upon  each  fide  would  greatly  retard  and  delay  their 
Operations  ;  and  I  doubt  not,  but  defeat  the  defign  of 
the  campaign.     To  attack  both  they  mult  divide  their 

army, 


(    U*    ) 

army,  which  would  greatly  harrafs  them *,  and  if  they 
wait  to  attack  them  one  after  another,  the  campaign  is  loft, 
befides,  the  attacks  made  upon  them  at  lauding  within  the 
vicinity,  -and  perhaps  under  cover  of  thefe  forts  and  re- 
trenchments ;  alio  the  attacks  on  their  rear,  while  they 
are  attacking  the  works.  In  fhort,  we  have  every  thing  in 
cur  favour,  to  defeat  the  enfuing  campaign,  if  we  only 
begin  in  time,  and  conduct  matters  properly. 

You  want  nothing  but  experienced  officers,  five  hun- 
dred at  leaft.  But  to  return  to  the  men  of  war, — that  I 
find  fo  much  intimidates  the  people  of  this  country,  is  a 
well  conftructed  floating  battery,  formidable  and  pow- 
erful in  her  own  element  at  fea,  no  doubt ;  but  when 
oppofed  to  the  land,  is  only  an  egg-fhell.  Batteries  and 
guns  properly  placed  will  foon  filence  them.  I  will  here 
defcribe,  as  well  as  I  can,  the  batteries  of  late  made  ufe 
of  againft  (hipping  ;  the  old  batteries  in  our  ports  ami 
harbours  at  home  are  found  almoft  ufelefs.  As  they 
are  all  built  fimilar  or  like  that  at  New-York,  very  low 
and  near  the  water,  whereby  the  veffel  has  all  the  power 
over  them  that  (he  could  wiih,  not  only  from  her  great 
guns,  but  fmall  arms ;  whereas,  quite  die  reverfe  ought 
to  be  the  cafe  •,  the  batteries  (hould  be  iixed  at  a  diftance 
from  the  water  and  veffel,  no  nearer  than  two  hundered 
yards  if  the  ground  will  admit,  from  the  channel,  or 
where  the  veffel  is  to  anchor  or  fail,  and  upon  ground 
high  enough  to  be  out  of  the  range  of  her  (hot,  if  fuch 
ground  cannot  be  found  take  the  higheft  you  can  get,  and 
fink,  or  let  in  your  platforms  and  guns  upon  the  top  or 
fummit  of  the  hill,  the  muzzels  of  the  guns,  as  it  were, 
peeping  out  of  the  hill.  Thus  the  men  will  work  their 
guns  when  thus  fituated  with  facility  and  iafety,  and  out 
of  the  reach  of  all  (hot.  There  is  no  (hip  in  the  world 
that  would  dare  offer  to  attack  or  pais  fuch  a  battery,  if 
twenty  guns  were  mounted.  Thefe  are  the  kind  of  bat- 
teries that  I  would  propofe  for  all  attacks  upon  veflels, 
and  what  I  would  make  ufe  of,  upon  Long-Ifland  and 
Nutten-Iiland,  and  though  the  land  is  not  fo  high  as  may 
be  wifhed,  yet  the  finking  and  letting  in  the  guns  into 

the 


(    **3    ) 

the  firm  and  highcft  ground  will  anfwcr  the  purpofc  lief 
doubt  :  {hips  fire  very  flow,  and  fire  at  random  ;  neither 
can  it  be  imagined  that  men  can  {land  to  their  guns, 
where  (hot  and  fplinrers  are  continually  flying,  much  lcfs 
level  and  point  guns  accurately.  In  ihort  they  mult  do 
as  the  French  did  on  board  of  four  fail  of  the  line  at 
Louilburg,  in  a  fliort  time  they  mult  ftrike,  or  jump  into 
the  hold,  notwithstanding  wc  never  had  more  than  two 
guns  playing  upon  any  Ihip  at  a  time.  Twelv. 
would  be  fufficient,  fix  upon  Long-ifland  and  fix  upon 
Nutten-Illand,  and  twelve  pounders  would  be  heavy 
enough  as  the  diftance  is  but  fliort,  and  lefs  than  three 
pound  of  powder  would  be  fufficient  for  a  charge.  There 
ought  to  be  two  men  to  each  gun,  that  underitand  load- 
ing and  firing,  the  reft  may  be  raw.  I  would  imagine 
that  Lord  Sterling  would  be  a  very  proper  perfon  to  com- 
mand the  detachment,  and  would  readily  accept  it.  I 
make  no  doubt,  the  troops  might  keep  moving-  fome  at 
the  Narrows,  feme  at  the  Ferry  at  York,  fome  even  might 
go  to  Jamaica,  Flat-Bufn,  &c.  until  guns  and  other  mat- 
ters are  in  readinefs.  The  commanding  officers  and  en- 
gineer at  the  Ferry,  off  and  on,  to  reconnoitre  theground, 
and  view  the  pofition  of  the  vefiels.  I  have  here  thrown 
a  few  matters  together,  in  a  rough  manner  ;  however, 
I  i'hall  not  needlefsly  make  any  apology  for  troubling  you, 
as  the  intention  is  good.  I  can  allure  you,  that  thtfe 
hints,  as  I  call  them,  are  no  whim,  or  production  of  my 
own,  but  are  drawn  from  real  practice  and-  experience, 
which  I  have  often  feen  and  helped  to  execute  in  rivers, 
lakes,  and  harbours  during  twenty-eight  years  fervice.  I 
cannot  difmifs  the  Narrows,  the  enemy  fliould  not  be  al- 
lowed to  flip  into  the  heart  of  the  country }  without  gain- 
ing it  by  inches  :  the  Narrows  are  centrical,  and  the  peo- 
ple thereabouts  difpofed  to  be  troublefome  ;  it  is  a  rnoft 
definable  Situation  for  an  army,  as  they  can  act  cither  to 
the  Eaftward,  or  Weftward,  together,  or  feparate,  and 
fuppliescan  come  from  all  quarters  either  by  land  or  wa- 
ter. A  battery  placed  as  beforementioned  lias  great 
power  and  command  of  (hipping  j  one  lhot  fired  in  this 

angular 


(     *54     ) 

hfigular  manner  ironi  an  eminence,  will  do  more  execu-* 
•ion  than  twenty  fired  horizontally  •,  for  if  the  Ihot  ftrike 
the  veiled  on  one  fide,  between  wind  and  water,  they  will 
come  out  on  the  other  fide  fome  feet  below  water,  :  in 
ihort,  their  powder-room  and  all  is  in  danger,  nor  will 
the  men's  lying  flat  upon  the  decks  fcreen  them.  I  have 
had  experience  of  this,  acting  as  a  marine  ollicer  on  board 
men  of  war  :  You  want,  as  I  have  faid  before,  experi- 
enced officers,  who  have  explored  the  country,  rivers, 
lakes,  and  difficult  paffes  ;  in  fhort,  that  know  every  inch 
of  ground,  that  have  drubbed,  and  been  drubbed  ;  for 
drubbing  brings  men  to  reafon  and  reflection.  I  beg  you 
would  offer  my  fervice  to  the  honorable  the  Congrefr,  as 
one  that  has  feen  fervice  both  in  horfe,  foot,  and  marines. 
There  is  not  an  officer  in  America  this  day  has  feen 
more  fervice  than  I  have,  both  abroad  and  at  home,  du- 
ring both  the  late  wars.  Nothing  would  prevail  with 
me  to  engage  again,  but  the  prefent  caufe  ;  my  all  is 
now  at  flake,  the  die  is  thrown  :  I  nruft  conquer  or  die. 
I  am,  Sir,  mod  refpect fully 
Your  molt  humble  and  moft 
Obedient  Servant, 

TREVOR  NEWLAND. 

Major  Ge».  Lee. 


Pear  Sir.  Philadelphia,  Feb.  t  itb.i    -<». 

THE  bearer,  Monf.  Arundel,  is  directed  by  the  Con- 
grefs  to  repair  to  General  Schuyler,  in  order  to  be  em- 
ployed by  him  in  the  Artillery  fervice.  He  propofes  to 
wait  on  you  in  his  way.  and  has  requefted  me  to  intro- 
duce him  by  a  line  to  you.  He  has  been  an  officer  in  the 
French  fervice,  as  you  will  fee  by  his  commifhons  ;  and 
profeffing  a  good-will  to  our  caufe,  I  hope  he  may  be 
ufeful  in  inftructing  our  gunners  and  matrofles  :  per- 
haps he  may  advile  in  opening  the  nailed  cannon. 

I  received  the  enclofed,  the  other  day,  from  an  officer, 
Mr,  Newland,  who  icrved  in  the  two  laft  wars,  and  was 

known 


(     *5S     ) 

known  bv  General  Gates,  who  fpoke  well  of  him  to  me 
when  I  was  at  Cambridge.  He  is  defirous  now  of  en- 
tering into  your  fervicc.  I  have  advifed  him  to  wait  upon 
you  at  New-York. 

They  ftill  talk   big  in  England,  and  threaten  hard  j 
but  their  language  isfpmewhat  civiller,  at  lead,  not 
fo    dHrefpeclful  to  us.     By  degrees  they    dome  to  their 
l\-iii\s,  but  too  late,  I  fancy  for  their  intcreit. 

We  have  got  a  large  quantity  of  falt-petre,  one  hun-. 
dred  and  twenty  ton,  and  thirty  more  expected.  Pow- 
der-mills are  now  wanting  ;  I  believe  we  mult  fet  to 
work  and  make  it  by  hand.  But  I  ftill  wilh,  with  you, 
that  pikes  could  be  introduced,  and  I  would  add  bows 
and  arrows  :  thefe  were  good  weapons,  not  wifely  laid 
afule  : 

i ft.  Becarffe  a  man  may  fhoot  as  truly  with  a  bow  as 
with  a  common  mufket. 

2d.  He  can  difcharge  four  arrows  in  the  time  of  charge 
ing  and  difcharging  one  bullet. 

3d.  His  object,  is  not  taken  from  his  view  by  the  fmoke 
of  his  own  fide. 

4th.   A  llight  of  arrows  feen  coming  upon  then,  ter- 
rifies and  difturbs   the  enemies'  attention  to  his  bufinefs. 
5th.   An   arrow  ftriking   in   any   part  of  a  man  puts 
him  h'.rs  du  combat  till  it  is  extracted. 

6lh.  Bows  and  arrows  are  more  eafily  provided  every 
where  .than  mulkets  and  ammunition. 

Polydore  Virgil,  fpeaking  of  one  of  our  battles  again  ft 
the  French  in  Edward  the  Third's  reign,  mentions  the 
great  confufion  the  enemy  was  thrown  into, faglttarum 
nube,  from  the  Eiiglifh  ;  and  concludes,  EJi  res  prof eflo 
diclu  vvrabileSy  nt  taut  us  ac  potens  exercitus  a  folis  fere 
Mttgl'ic'ts  fagittariis  iriclus  fuerit  ;  adeo  Anglus  efl  fagitti 
potens,  et  id  genus  armarum  valet.  If  fo  much  execution 
was  dona  by  arrows  when  men  wore  fome  defenfive  ar- 
mour, how  much  more  might  be  done  now  that  is  out 
Of  ufe  ! 

I  am  glad  you  are  come  to  New- York,  but  I  alio  wifii 
you  could  be  in  Canada.     There  is  a  kind  of  fulpenfe 

in 


(     15*     ) 

in  men's  minds,  here  at  prefenr,  waiting  to  fee  what 
terms  will  be  offered  from  England,  I  expect  none  that 
wc  can  accept  •,  and  when  that  is  generally  feen,  we  Avail 
be  more  unanimous  and  more  decifive  :  then  your  pro- 
pofed  folcmn  league  and  covenant  will  go  better  down, 
and  perhaps  moft  of  your  other  flrong  meafures  adopted. 
I  am  always  glad  to  hear  from  you,  but  I  do  not  de- 
ferve  your  favours,  being  fo  bad  a  correfpondent.  My 
eves  will  now  hardly  ferve  me  to  write  by  night,  and 
thefe  fhort  days  have  been  all  taken  up  by  fuch  variety 
of  bufinefs,  that  I  feldom  can  fit  down  ten  minutes 
without  interruption. — God  give  you  fuccefs. 

I  am,  with  the  greatefl:  efteem, 
Yours  affectionatelv, 

B.  FRANKLIN. 

Major  Gen.  Lee. 


My  Dear  Sir,  Philadelphia,  Feb.  19th,  1776, 

THE  Congrefs  have  feen  fuch  a  neceflity  of  an  able 
commander  in  Canada,  as  to  deftine  you  to  that  moft 
arduous  fervice.  I  tremble  for  your  health,  yet  I  hope 
the  campaign  will  rather  promote  it  than  otherwife.  "We 
want  you  at  New-York  ;  we  want  you  at  Cambridge  ; 
we  want  you  in  Virginia  •,  but  Canada  feems  of  more 
importance  than  any  of  thofe  places,  and  therefore  you 
are  lent  there.  I  .with  you  as  many  laurels  as  Wolfe 
and  Montgomery  reaped  there,  with  an  happier  fate. 
Health  and  long  life  after  a  glorious  return. 

But  I  am  alhamed  to  go  on  in  fuch  a  (train  when 
writing  to  you  whofe  time  is  fo  much  better  employed 
than  in  reading  it,  fince  I  took  up  my  pen  only  to  in- 
troduce to  your  acquaintance  a  countryman  of  yours-, 
and  a  citizen  of  the  world,  to  whom  a  certain  heretical 
pamphlet,  called  Common  Se??fe,  is  imputed.  His  name 
is  Paine.  He  is  travelling  to  New- York  for  his  curio- 
fity,  and  wifhes  to  fee  a  gentleman  whofe  character  he 
fo  highly  refpedts. 

A  luckier, 


(     *57     ) 

A  luckier,  a  happier  expedition  than,  yours  to  New  ■ 
York  never  was  projected.    The  whole  Whig  world  are 
blefling  you  for  it,  and  none  of  them  more  than, 
Your  friend  and  fervant, 

JOHN  ADAMS* 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Sir,  Philadelphia,  Feb.  19^,  1776. 

I  HAVE  the  honour  to  inclofc  you  fundry  refoluri- 
«ns  of  Congrefs,  by  which  you  will  perceive,  it  is  the  de- 
fire  of  Congrefs,  that  you  ihould  repair  to  Canada,  and 
take  upon  yon  the  command  of  the  army  of  the  United 
Colonies  in  that  province.  I  need  not  mention  the  im- 
portance of  the  truft  repofed  in  you,  and  the  happy  ef- 
fects it  will  have  in  fecuring  the  liberty  of  America,  it 
you  fhould  be  fo  fortunate  as  to  drive  our  enemies,  the 
enemies  of  liberty  and  the  rights  of  mankind,  out  of  it. 
1  heartily  pray,  that  the  Difpofcr  of  Events  may  grant 
you  fuccefs  equal  to  your  merit  and  zeal. 

As  you  will  want  battering  cannon,  which  are  not  to 
be  had  in  that  province,  you  arc  to  apply  to  the  Conven- 
tion, or  Committee  of  Safety  of  New  -York  ;  to  whom 
by  this  opportunity,  I  fend  the  recommendation  of  Con- 
gnfs  to  fupply  you  with  twelve,  fuch  as  you  fliall  judge 
mod  fuitable,  and  fome  mortars,  if  they  have  or  cart 
procure  them  ;  with  balls,  (hells,  and  other  necefiaries  ; 
and  alfo  to  afTift  you  in  forwarding  them.  Eight  ton* 
of  powder  arc  now  on  the  way  to  Albany,  for  the  forces 
in  Canada;  and  as  a  very  confulerable  quantity  of  falt- 
petre  is  lent  to  the  mills  of  Mr.  "YVifner  and  Mr.  l/.ving- 
ftpne,  (hould  there  be  occafion  for  more,  you  will  be 
fuppiicd  from  thence. 

You  will  readily  perceive  the  neceffity  of  conferring 
with  General  Schuyler,  and  with  him  confulting  on  the 
befl  methods  of  having  necelTaries  conveyed  to  you  acrofs 
the  lakes.  The  Congrefs  have  a  full  confidence  that  vou 
will  co-operate  in  fecuring  the  pofleflion  of  the  lakes, 

P 


(      *58      ) 

mutually  aiTifting  each  other  as  occafion  may  re- 
quire ',  and,  as  far  as  in  your  power,  give  mutual  aid  in 
lipporting  the  caufe  of  freedom  and  liberty.  I  expect 
the  deputies  will  in  a  fhort  time  be  ready  to  proceed  to 
Canada. 

I  am,  with  every  fentiment  of  efleem, 
Sir, 
Your  moft  obedient  humble  fervant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK.  Pref, 
Hon.  Major  Gen.  Lee. 


*  Dr.AR  Sir,  Philadelphia,  March  i ft,  1776, 

AFTLR  a  warm  conteft,  oceafioned  by  the  high  efti- 
mation  the  members  of  Congrefs  have  of  your  worth 
and  abilities,  every  one  wifhing  to  have  you  where  he 
had  moft  at  itake,  the  Congrefs  have  at  length  determi- 
ned to  fupercede  the  orders  given  you  toproeeed  to  Ca- 
nada, and  have  this  day  come  to  a  refolution  that  you 
ihall  take  the  command  of  the  continental  forces  in  the 
ibuthern  department,  which  comprehends  Virginia, 
North-Carolina,  South-Carolina,  and  Georgia. 

The  Congrefs  have  alfo  appointed  fix  new  Brigadier 
Generals ;  viz.  John  Armftrong,  William  Thompfon, 
Andrew  Lewis,  James  Moore,  Lord  Sterling,  and  Ro- 
bert Howe,  Efqrs.  four  of  whom  you  are  to  command  in 
the  Ibuthern  department,  and  two  in  the  middle.  By 
tills  conveyance  I  have  forwarded  the  commiffion  for  his 
Lordflup.  As  foon  as  your  health  and  the  neceffary  or- 
ders you  may  think  proper  to  give,  for  putting  New- 
York  in  a  ftate  of  defence,  will  permit,  I  have  it  in 
charge  to  direct  that  you  repair  to  the  department  put 
under  your  immediate  command. 

In  expectation  of  feeing  you  foon  in  this  place,  on 
your  way,  I  need  not  add,  but  that 

I  am,  with  every  fentiment  of  regard  and  efteem, 
Sir,  your  molt  obedient  fervant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK,  Pref. 
Hon.  Major  Gen.  Lee,  New-York  DtAn 


(  T.-/.  > 

Gear  Generat,  Head-quarters,  Feb.  z6\\\,  . 

Lalt  night  I  had  the  pleafure  to  receive  yours  of  the 
15th.  I  am  rejoiced  you  have  weathered  this  tit  of  the 
gout ;  I  don't  think  you  will  have  another  this  winter,  it 
you  was  careful  in  letting  that  pafs  off:  it  may  pro! 
be  oi  much  fervice  to  your  conllitution.  When  I  menti- 
oned Canada,  I  did  not  mean  you  mould  winter  there  ; 
if  you  can  fecure  the  entrance  into  it,  by  getting  Quebec, 
and  polTe fling  it  this  fummer,  you  may  leave  the  care  of 
that  province  to  your  Brigadiers  for  the  winter  to  come. 
The  General  was  pleafed  you  wrote  to  him,  as  he  began 
to  think  you  tardy.  He  writes  to  you  by  this  exprefs, 
I  like  your  intention  of  making  the  fort  an  open  redoubt ; 
I  think  fome  heavy  guns  upon  the  fouth  and  weft  iUes, 
with  good  fod  merlons,  will  make  die  men  of  war  keep 
aloof.  It  is  a  pretty  high  fituation,  and  battering  it  at  a 
cHftance,  over  the  lower  batteries,  would  have  but  little 
effect.  Y/e  have  lately  had  reafons  to  fuppofe  Mr.  Howe 
had  thoughts  of  leaving  Bofton  j  the  General  will  tell 
you  his  reafons  for  thinking  that  was  intended.  Clinton, 
I  am  fatisfied,  went  to  fee  how  affairs  were  circumitan- 
ced  at  New-York,  to  confuk  with  Tryon,  and  to  prepare 
the  way  for  Howe's  reception.  Unlefs  the  enemy  xz- 
polTefs  Canada,  they  cannot  reinftate  the  king's  aiFairs 
on  this  continent',  there  is  no  way  to  recover  Canada, 
but  by  the  Rivers  of  St.  Laurence  and  Hudfon.  The 
St.  Laurence  is  not  practicable  until  late  in  May  ;  there- 
fore, the  firft  attempt  would  mod  affuretlly  be  made  at 
New- York  :  for  the fe  reafons,  I  think  your  hands  mould, 
be  ftrengthened  as  much,  and  as  expeditioully  as  poflible. 
I  am  afraid  you  are  deficient  in  gun-carriages  ;  employ 
all  the  hands  you  can  procure  to  make  them.  I  am  glad 
you  exprefs  yottrfeli  fo  well  pleafed  with  the  Captains, 
Smith  and  Badlam  ;  the  former  has  good  talents,  and 
will,  I  hope,  prove  as  faithful  as  he  is  capable.  Ere  long; 
it  will  be  known  if  I  am  right  in  my  conjecture,  that; 
the  great  body  of  the  enemy  mean  to  endeavour  to  I 
poll  at,  or  near  New-York.  Should  that  happen  to  bj 
attempted,  be  allured  we  fliall  march  with  the  utmoll 

expedition 


>  ftipport  you.  I  expect  foon  to  fee  Palfrey,  in  confe* 
qucnce  of  what  I  wrote  to  him,  when  I  hope  to  heat 
you  arc  in  perfect  health.  Little  Euitace  is  well,  but 
nothing  is  done  for  him  as  yet.  You  know  the  more 
than  Scotch  partiality  6f  thefe  folks.  I  have  had  much 
•  o  do  to  fupport  the  lad  you  put  into  Colonel  Whitcomb  3 
regiment.  They  have  no  complaint  in  nature  againlt 
him,  but  that  he  is  too  good  an  officer.  What,  in  the 
name  of  reafon,  can  Hite  have  trumped  up  to  com- 
mence a  fuit  in  Chancery  upon  ?  Mrs.  Gates  and  I 
have  puzzled  our  brains  to  find  it  out.  The  inclofed  I 
defire  ybu  will  order  to  be  immediately  delivered  to  the 
poft-maller.  Mrs.  Gates  joins  me  in  every  good  wilh 
for  ;  our  health  and  fuccefs. 

I  am  ever  affectionately, 
Yours, 

HORATIO  GATES, 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Dear  Sir,  Philadelphia,  Feb.  ipth,  177& 

I  REJOICE  that  you  are  going  to  Canada.  I  hope 
the  gout  will  not  have  the  courage  to  follow  you  inta 
that  fevere  climate.  I  believe  you  will  have  the  num- 
ber of  men  you  wifhed  for.  I  am  told  there  will  be  two 
fhoufand  more,  but  there  are  always  deficiencies. 

The  bearer,  Mr.  Pain,  has  requefted  a  line  of  intro- 
duction to  you,  which  I  give  the  more  willingly,  as  I 
know  his  fentiments  are  not  very  different  from  yours  : 
lie  is  the  reputed,  and,  I  think,  the  real  author  of  Com- 
won  Se/ife,  a  pamphlet  that  has  made  great  imprelfiou 
here.  I  do  not  enlarge,  both  becaufe  he  waits,  and  be- 
caufe  I  hope  for  the  pleafure  of  conferring  with  you  face 
to  face  in  Canada.  I  will  only  add,  that  we  are  aflured 
here  on  the  part  of  France,  that  the  troops  fent  to  the 
Weft-Indies  have  no  inimical  views  to  us  or  our  caufe. 
It  is  thought  they  intend  a  war  without  a  previous  de- 
claration. 

God 


God  profper  all  your  undertakings,  and  return  you 
with  health,  honour,  and  happinefs. 

Your's  molt  affectionately, 

B.  FRANKLIN. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Sir,  Philadelphia,  July  ::d,  1776. 

YOUR  favour  of  the  fecond  inftant,  containing  the 
very  agreeable  intelligence  of  the  fuceefs  of  the  American 
army  under  your  command,  I  had  the  honour  of  receiv- 
ing, and  immediately  laid  the  fame  before  Congrels. 

The  fame  enlarged  mind,  and  diftinguifhed  ardour  in 
the  cauie  of  freedom  that  taught  you  to  defpife  th~  pre- 
judices which  have  enllaved  the  bulk  of  mankind,  when 
you  nobly  undertook  the  defence  of  American  liberty, 
will  entitle  you  to  receive  from  pofterity  the  fame  due  to 
fuch  exalted  and  difmterefted  conduct. 

That  a  handful  of  men,  without  the  advantage  of  mi- 
litary experience,  animated  only  with  the  facred  love  of 
liberty,  fhould  repulfe  a  powerful  fleet  and  army,  are 
circumltances  that  mult  excite  gratitude  and  wonder  in 
the  friends  of  America,  and  prove  a  fource  of  the  molt 
mortifying  difappointment  to  our  enemies. 

Accept,  therefore,  Sir,  the  thanks  of  the  Independent 
States  of  America,  unammoujly  declared  by  their  delegates 
to  be  due  to  you  and  the  brave  officers  and  troops  under 
your  command,  who  repulfed  with  fo  much  valour  the 
attack  that  was  made  on  the  Itate  of  South-Carolina,  on 
the  2Sth  of  June,  by  the  fleet  and  army  of  his  Britanic 
Majefty  ;  and  be  pleafed  to  communicate  to  them  this 
<liftinguiiried  mark  of  the  approbation  of  their  country. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greateft  refpett, 
Sir, 
Your  molt  obedient, 

And  very  humble  fervant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  Pref, 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 

r  2  My 


(      162      ) 

My  Dear  Lee,  New-York,  May,  1776. 

YOUR  favour  of  the  5th  ult.  from  Williamfburgb, 
the  firft  I  have  received  from  you  fince  you  left  this  city, 
came  to  my  hands  by  the  lull  poft.  I  thank  you  for 
your  kind  congratulations  on  our  pofleflion  of  Bofton. 
I  thank  you  for  your  good  wi  flies  in  our  future  operati- 
ons, and  hope  that  every  diabolical  attempt  to  deprive 
mankind  of  their  inherent  rights  and  privileges,  whether 
made  in  the  Eaft,  Weft,  North,  or  South,  will  be  at- 
tended with  difappointment  and  difgrace,  and  that  the 
authors  in  the  end  will  be  brought  to  fuch  puniihmenf, 
as  an  injured  people  have  a  right  to  inflict. 

General  Howe's  retreat  from  Bofton  was  precipitate, 
beyond  any  thing  I  could  have  conceived.  The  deftruc- 
tion  of  the  ftores  at  Dunbar's  camp  after  Braddock's  de- 
feat was  but  a  faint  image  of  what  was'feen  at  Bofton  ; 
artillery  carts  cut  to  pieces  in  one  place  ;  gun  carriages 
in  another  ;  fhells  broke  here  ;  (hot  buried  there,  and 
everything  carrying  with  it  the  face  of  diforder  and  con-, 
fufion,  as  alfo  of  diftrefs. 

Immediately  upon  their  embarkation,  I  detached  a 
brigade  of  five  regiments  to  this  city,  and  upon  their 
failing,  removed  with  the  whole  army  hither  except  four 
regiments  at  Bofton,  and  one  at  Beverley,  &c.  for  the 
protection  of  thofe  places,  the  ftores  and  barracks  there, 
and  for  erecting  works  for  defending  the  harbour  of  the 
firft.  Immediately  upon  my  arrival  here,  I  detached 
four  regiments  by  order  of  Congrefs  to  Canada  (to  wit, 
Poor's,  Patterfon's,  Treaton's,  and  Bond's)  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier  Thompfon,  and  fmce  that,  by  the 
fame  authority,  and  in  conicquence  of  fome  unfavoura- 
ble accounts  from  that  quarter,  General  Sullivan  and 
fix  other  regiments,  namely,  Stark's,  Reed's,  Wain's, 
Irvine's,  Wind's,  and  Dayton's,  have  moved  off  for  that 
department ;  the  four  laft  regiments  are  of  Pennfylvania, 
and  New-Jerfey.  The  firft  brigade  arrived  at  Albany 
the  twenty-fourth  ultimo,  and  were  moving  on,  when 
accounts  came  from  thence  the  twenty-feventh.  The 
other  brigades  muft  all  be  at  Albany  before  this,  as  fome 

of 


(     *3     ) 

of  the  regiments  failed  ten  days  ago,  and  the  laft  four, 
and  the  winds  very  favourable.  This  has  left  us  very 
weak  at  this  place,  whilft  I  have  my  fears  that  the  rein- 
forcement will  fcarce  get  to  Canada  in  time,  for  want  of 
teams  to  tranfport  the  troops,  &c.  to  Fort  George,  and 
veilels  to  convey  them  on  afterwards. 

We  have  done  a  great  deal  of  work  at  this  place.  In 
a  fortnight  more,  I  think  the  city  will  be  in  a  very  ref- 
peclable  poiture  of  defence.  Govcrnor's-Illand  has  a 
large  aud  itrong  work  eredled,  and  a  regiment  encamp- 
ed  there.  The  point  below,  called  Red-Hook,  has  a 
final!,  but  exceeding  ftrong  barbat  battery  ;  and  feveral 
new  works  are  conltrucled,  and  many  of  them  almolt 
executed  at  other  places. 

General  "Ward,  upon  the  evacuation  of  Bolton,  and 
finding  there  was  a  probability  of  his  removing  from  the 
imoke  oi  his  own  chimney,  applied  to  me,  and  wrote  to 
Congrefs  for  leave  to  rciign.  A  few  days  afterwards, 
fome  of  the  officers,  as  he  fays,  getting  utuaj)  at  the  prof- 
ret  i  of  his  leaving  them,  he  applied  for  his  letter  of  re- 
fignation,  which  had  been  committed  to  my  care;  but, 
behold  !  it  had  been  carefully  forwarded  to  Congrefs,  and, 
a  i  have  fince  learnt,  judged  fo  reafonable  (want  of 
health  being  the  plea)  that  it  was  imlantly  complied 
with.  Brigadier  Fry,  previous  to  this,  alio  conceiving 
that  there  was  nothing  entertaining  or  profitable  to  an 
old  man,  to  be  marching  and  counter-marching,  defired, 
immediately  on  the  evacuation  of  Bofton  (which  hap- 
pened on  the  17th  of  March)  that  he  might  rejigii  his 
comnujfion  en  the  nth  ef  April :  the  choice  of  the  day 
became  a  matter  of  great  fpeculation,  and  remained  pro- 
foundly myfterious  till  he  exhibited  his  account,  when 
there  appeared  neither  more  or  lefts  in  it,  than  the  com- 
pletion of  three  calendar  months  •,  the  pay  of  which  he 
received  without  any  kind.of  compunction,  although  he 
had  never  done  one  tour  of  duty,  or,  I  believe,  had  ever 
been  out  of  his  houfe  from  the  time  he  entered  till  he 
quitted  Cambridge. 

So 


X     1*4     ) 

So  much  for  two  Generals  :  I  have  next  to  inform 
you,  that  the  Pay-mafter-general,  Colonel  Warran,  not 
finding  it  convenient  to  attend  the  army,  from  the  vari- 
ous employments  and  avocations  in  which  he  was  engag- 
ed, alfo  refigned  his  commiifion,  and  is  fucceeded  by 
your  old  aid,  Palfrey. 

When  I  was  fpeaking  of  the  diftreffed  fituation  of 
the  king's  troops,  and  the  Tories,  at  their  evacuation  of 
Bofton,  I  might  have  gone  on,  and  added,  that  their  mif- 
fortunes  did  not  end  here.  It  feems,  upon  their  arrival . 
at  Halifax,  many  of  the  former  were  obliged  to  encamp, 
although  the  ground  was  covered  deep  with  fnow ;  and 
the  latter,  to  pay  fix  dollars  a  week  for  forry  upper- 
rooms,  and  (low  in  them,  men,  women,  and  children, 
as  thick,  comparitively,  as  the  hair  upon  their  heads. 
This  induced  many  of  thefe  gentry  to  return,  and  throw 
themfejves  upon  the  mercy  and  clemency  of  their  coun- 
trymen, who  were  for  fending  them  immediately  back, 
as  the  propereft  and  fevered  punilhment  they  could 
inflict,  but  death  being  preferred  to  this,  they  now  wait, 
in  confinement,  any  other  that  may  be  thought  due  to 
fucn  parricides. 

All  the  fhips  of  war  have  left  this  place,  and  gone 
down  to  the  Hook,  except  the  Afia,  which  lays  five 
miles  below  the  Narrows,  and  about  twelve  or  fourteen 
from  hence.  I  could  have  added  more,  but  my  paper 
will  not  admit  of  it.  With  compliment,  therefore,  to 
the  gentlemen  of  my  acquaintance  with  you,  and  with 
the  molt  fervent  wifhes  for  your  health  and  fuccefs, 
I  remain, 

Your  mod  affectionate, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Sir.  Tyaquin,  North-Carolina,  June  nth,  177& 

This  moment  yours  of  the  id  inftant  came  to  my  hand. 

The  note  inclofed,  directed  to  the  commanding  officer 

of 


(     ^5     ) 

of  the  corps  of  Virginia  forces,  intended  for  the  ftation 
of  Hillfborough,  I  will  ufe  my  beft  endeavour  to  trans- 
mit fo  foon  as  I  can  learn  who  he  is,  or  for  what  part  of 
Virginia  they  are  ordered  ;  of  both  I  am  now  entirely 
uninformed,  having  heard. nothing  of  fuch  deflmation 
until  I  received  your  letter.  If  I  can  get  no  information 
in  my  neighbourhood,  I  will  fend  your  note  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  Halifax  or  Mecklinburgh  county  j 
which  lying  contiguous  to  this,  are  mod  likely  to  have 
received  orders  to  march  hither. 

I  cannot  fay,  Sir,  that  I  rejoice  that  the  enemy  have 
abandoned  their  defign  on  this  colony.  Their  force  could 
not  have  effected  much  againft  us,  but  they  may  prove 
troublefome  to  fome  of  our  fouthern  neighbours,  who 
are  probably  not  fo  well  provided  for  defence  as  we  are. 

I  beg  leave,  Sir,  to  wifh  you  all  poffible  fuccefs  in  your 
generous  efforts  for  the  defence  of  the  undoubted  rights 
of  mankind.  Had  the  fcene  of  action  been  where  we 
fir  ft  exj>e£ted,  I  intended  to  have  put  myfelf  a  volunteer 
under  your  command,  and  to  have  contributed  my  little 
affiflancc  towards  that  fuccefs  which  I  am  aflured  would 
have  attended  your  command.  Remote  as  the  fcene 
may  be,  I  fhall  not  bear  abfence  /rom  it  with  much  pa- 
tience ;  and  were  it  not  almoft  ruin  to  my  private  affairs, 
no  campaign  fhould  pafs  without  receiving  the  little  affilt- 
ance  I  could  perfonally  give  j  for  though  I  am  no  mili- 
tary character,  nor  ambitious  of  fuch  diftintticn,  the  caufe 
in  which  we  are  now  engaged,  and  in  which  1  have  un- 
remittingly fhugglcd  fince  the  ftamp  act,  makes  rnc 
anxious  to  be  a  witnefs  and  an  attor,  however  inconfider- 
able,  in  every  fcene  of  importance,  whether  military  or 
civil,  which  may  relate  to  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  fingular  refpett, 
Sir, 
Your  obedient  fervant, 

THOMAS  BURKE. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Dear 


(     166    ) 

Drar  S:h,  Philadelphia,  Tune  17th,  177?- 

I  HEARTILY  thank  you  for  your  letter  and  regret 
that  I  cannot  have  the  pleafure  of  meeting  you  j  the 
great  wifh  of  my  life  is  to  Tee  peace  between  two  coun- 
tries I  almolt  equally  love,  while  it  is  a  queflion  whether 
this  or  an  inexterminable  war  is  to  take  place.  I  meant 
in  words  I  had  learnt  from  you,  to  fet  before  you  the  ma- 
ny and  mutual  advantages  both  would  derive  from  an 
agreement ;  and  as  the  terms  now  offered  are  more  for 
the  intereft  of  your  favourite  America  than  you  ever  ho» 
ped  to  obtain,  I  fliould  have  made  no  fcruple  to  afk  your 
good  offices,  and  to  engage  my  own,  to  remove  any  ob- 
ftaeles  that  might  ohftru<il  the  peace. 

I  fliould  think  it  a  greater  honour  to  contribute  in  the 
fmalleft  degree  to  this,  than  to  have  the  greateft  fliare  in 
bringing  about  victory  :  thefe,  to  a  thinking  man  like 
you.  who  has  many  friends  on  both  fides,  fubjeft  him  to 
a  double  regret. 

I  may  not  find  another  occafion  of  meeting  you  eafily, 
but  I  would  travel  far  to  have  the -pleafure  of  embracing 
you,,  as  a  fellow  fubjeft  of  the  fame  empire,  and  a  friend. 
You  will  fee  by  fome  fpeeches  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons, 
that  others  whom  you  value  have  the  fame  wifh.  A  ce- 
lebrated poem,  juft  publifhed,  fays, 

"  By  virtue,  captive  Lee  is  doubly  bleft." 

A  pamphlet  wrote  by  Governor  Johnftone's  brother 
is  much  applauded  by  the  nation,  where  a  fpirit  prevails 
like  that  between  tender  relations  who  are  more  difpofed 
to  love  and  refpedt,  after  a  quarrel  has  convinced  both, 
of  the  advantage  and  value  of  friendfhip.  I  fend  you  the 
pamphlet. 

You  do  Sir  H.  Clinton  great  juftice  in  believing  him 
incapable  of  an  inhuman  or  illiberal  meafure  ;  you  may, 
with  great  confidence,  affert,  that  he  had  no  fliare  in  the 
havoc k  you  fay  has  embittered  people's  minds  to  a  degree 
of  miduefs.  Your  letter  to  me  is  the  only  notice  he  has, 
of  the  burnings  you  mention.  If  any  other  houfes"  be- 
sides magazines  were  deitroyed,  it  muft  have  been  by  the 

wantonnefs 


(     i*7     ) 

Vantonnefs  of  foldiers ;  as  the  officer  who  formed  the 
plan  for  deftroying  the  preparations  for  the  iiwafion  of 
the  ifland,  confined  it  to  this  object.  The  deflruction  of 
houfes  was  no  part  of  his  projecT: ;  otherwife  he  would 
have  mentioned  the  fuccefsof  it,  which  he  has  not  done. 
I  will  deliver  the  meffages  you  give  me,  and  will  ever 
feek  every  occafion  to  fhew  that  I  am  with  regard, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  moft  affectionate  friend, 

and  humble  Servant, 

GEO.  JOHNSON. 

P.  S.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  bids  me  thank  you  for  your 
letter,  and  charges  me  to  indole  one  ho  has  received  for 
you,  from  England. 

Major  Gen.  Leef 


Sir,     .  Off  Charlefton-Bjr.  July  »2,  1776, 

ON  my  return  to  tne  fleet,  I  found  a  letter  from  you 
by  a  flag  of  truce,  with  fome  rcfrefhments  you  Mere 
pteafed  to  fend  me,  in  return  for  which,  I  muft  beg 
your  acceptance  of  a  caik  of  porter,  and  fome  Englilh 
cheefe, 

I  have  made  enquiries  concerning  the  perfou  menti- 
oned in  your  letter,  who,  it  feems,  has  occafioned  this 
tdrrefpondence  between  us,  but  can  learn  nothing  fur- 
ther about  him,  than  that  he  is  not  a  mafter  of  a  vefTel, 
lits  he  has  represented  himfelf  to  you  ;  and  you  will  have 
been  already  informed  by  Mr.  Byrd  that  Ethan  Allen, 
and  thole  that  were  with  them,  are  gone  to  the  North- 
ward. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  moft  humble  fen-ant, 

H.  CLINTON. 
To 
Charles  Lee,  Efq, 
Major  General  in  the  lVrvicH 
of  Ins  Polifh  Mainly. 


(     i68     ) 

My  bear  General,  '  Williamiburgh,  July  nth,  1776. 
YOUR  kind  concern  for  my  health  made  me  happy, 
and  the  high  approbation  you  exprefs  of  my  public  con- 
duel:  highly  gratified  my  pride.  I  had  the  pleafure  of 
receiving  your  letter  which  did  me  fo  much  honour, 
about  the  oth  of  laft  month.  I  was  then  at  Mr.  Har- 
rifon's  near  Peterfburgh,  where  I  had  gone  with  Mrs. 
Page  for  the  recovery  of  her  health.  Our  trip  happily 
has  atifwered  our  wifhes,  and  we  are  once  more  fixed 
at  "Williamiburgh.  It  is  now  four  weeks  fince  we  have 
received  any  certain  account  of  the  fituation  of  affairs  in 
either  of  the  Carolinas.  Even  your  letter  to  brigadier 
Lewis  countermanding  the  march  of  the  troops  did  not 
arrive  here  till  four  weeks  after  it  was  written.  The 
regiments  had  juft  began  their  march  •,  but  had  they 
not  been  fcattered  abroad  on  dillant  ftations,  and  badly 
provided  with  necefTvies  for  fuch  an  expedition,  they 
would  have  reached  the  place  of  their  deitination  before 
your  exprefs  could  have  flopped  them.  It  will  be  worth 
your  while  to  examine  into  the  occafion  of  this.  I  thought 
it  a  matter  of  fo  much  importance  to  have  fuch  orders 
communicated  with  difpatch,  that  I  advifed  the  briga- 
dier to  fend  an  exprefs  to  you  immediately,  to  inform 
you  of  the  unaccountable  delay  that  yours  had  met  with, 
and  to  recommend  it  to  you  to  eflablifh  a  poll  through- 
out your  diitrict ;  but  he  was  preparing  for  an  expedi- 
tion againffc  Gwynn-Ifland.  The  brigadier  fet  out  laft 
Monday  on  his  way  to  our  camp,  attended  by  the  Colo- 
nels Woodford,  Stephens,  Buckner,  Wecdon,  and  ibme 
others,  intending  to  examine  into  the  ftrength  of  the 
enemy,  and  fubmit  the  propriety  of  an  attack  to  a  coun- 
cil of  war.  They  reached  the  camp  that  night,  and  the 
next  day  finding  that  the  Dunmore  had  changed  ftations 
with  the  other,  and  had  expofed  herfelf  very  prettily  to 
the  very  place  where  he  had  been  preparing  a  battery 
for  the  Otter,  they  determined  not  to  lofe  this  good  op- 
portunity of  beginning  their  cannonade,  i.i  which  they 
might  feverely  and  principally  chaflife  the  noble  Earl. 
At  eight  o'clock,  A»  M.  Captain  Arundel  and  Lieute- 
nant 


C    **9    ) 

nant  Denny  fainted  the  Dunmore  and  Otter,  with  two 
eighteen  pounders  ;  the  very  firfl  fhot  at  the  Otter* 
though  a  full  mile  from  our  battery,  flruck  her  as  it  is 
fuppofed,  between  wind  and  water,  for  fhe  did  not  re- 
turn the  fire,  but  was  towed  off  on  the  careen.  The 
Dunmore  fired  a  broadfide,  and  then  was  to-.red  off, 
having  received  four  fhot  through  her  fides  ',  whilft  Che 
was  in  tow,  (he  received  a  fifth  through  her  flern  which 
raked  her  ;  fcarcely  a  fhot  was  fired  which  did  not  do 
execution  in  fomc  part  of  the  fleet.  A  fchooner  loft 
one  of  her  mafis,  Whilft  lieutenant  Deny  was  firing 
on  the  fleet,  their  battery  on  the  ifland  began  to  play  on 
him,  and  a  ball  palled  through  the  embrafure  ',  on  which 
he  immediately  turned  his  cannon  on  their  battery  ;  for 
he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  have  fcope  enough  to  take 
in  the  fleet,  and  that  part  of  their  battery  ;  and  fired 
three  times  fucceflively  into  their  embrafure,  which  three 
rounds  completely  filenced  that  part  of  the  battery  ;  the 
other  part  facing  our  lines  on  the  haven  was  almoft  as 
foon  filenced  bv  our  battery  erected  againfl  it  with  four 
nines  and  three  fox  pounders.  Part  of  their  camp  was  a 
little  expofed  to  both  of  our  batteries  winch  fired  a  few- 
rounds  into  it.  This  fire  was  as  well  directed  as  that 
againfl  their  (hips ;  for  it  beat  down  many  of  their  tents, 
and  thrtw  their  camp  into  the  utnioft  confufiori.  When 
this  was  difcoveredj  the  brigadier  ordered  canoes  to  he 
brought  down,  to  enable  the  men  to  pafs  over  into  the 
ifland  ;  for,  unhappily,  we  had  not  aboat^on  the  more  : 
thefe  could  not  be  procured  till  the  next  day,  when  a 
i'mart  cannonade  began  between  the  batteries  ;  but  as 
foon  as  our  men  had  marled  their  boats,  their  fire  ceaf- 
ed,  and  they  retired  with  precipitation  to  their  beats,  and 
efeaped  iai'ely  to  their  fhips,  having  firfl  broken  off  the 
trunnions,  &c.  of  their  cannon.  There  were  three  ten- 
ders up  the  haven  which  could  not  pafs  our  batteries  ; 
thefe  they  abandoned  ;  they  endeavoured  to  burn  one, 
but  our  men  boarded  it,  and  extinguished  the  flames.  I 
underlland  that  all  thefe  tenders  have  their  iwivels  in 
them;  but  it  is  reported  that  they  had  thrown  the  guns 

Q^  overboard. 


(  *]0  ) 

overboard.     We  are  now  in  poffefhon  of  tin-  ifl.nuT.  Tine 
fleet  has  retired,  but  is  in  fight.      This  might  have   been 
a  compleat  affair,  if  proper  meafures  had  been    precon- 
certed, and  the  whole  well  conducted.      Our  men,  how- 
ever, behaved   well,   our  artillery  was  admirably   ferved, 
and  we  have   difgraced  and  mortified  our  enemies.     In 
this  affair  we  loft  not  a  man  •,  but  moll  unhappily  poor 
Captain  Arundel  was  killed  by  the  burfting  of  a    wood-, 
en  mortar,  with  which  he  was   endeavouring   to  throw 
ihells  into  the  fleet,     His  lofs  is  irreparable.     He   be- 
haved with  great  fpirit  and  activity  and  was   fo  hearty 
in  cur  caufc  that  he  is  univerfally  lamented,     Colonel 
Stephens  is  jult  returned  from   Gwynn's-lfland  ;  he  fays 
the  enemy  carried  off  all  their  cannon  from   their  bat- 
teries, except  one  fix  pounder,  which  they  fpiked.  They 
left  fix  carriage  guns  in  one  of  the  tenders  j  feveral  ne- 
groes and  a  few  whites  were  taken  ;  two  negroes    and 
one  of  the  fourteenth  regiment  defcrted  to  us.     The  pri- 
foners  inform,  that   Lord   Duimiorc's  mate  was  cut   in 
two  by  a  double  headed  eighteen   pounder,   which  alfo 
took  off  one   man's  ai'm  and  another's  leg,  and    drove  a 
fplinter  into  his  lordfhip's  leg.     Tom  Byrd  was  ill  of  a 
fever,  and  was  carted  off  to  a  boat  juft  before  our    peo- 
ple landed.     They  were  obliged  to  burn  two  fine  imall 
veifclsthat  day,  and  at  nighf,  in  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
they  burnt  alio  a  large  fhip,  fuppofed  to  be  the  Dunmore, 
as  ihe  was  not  with  the  fleet  next  morning.  The  Fowey, 
it  is  faid,  was  with  the  fleet,  but  did  not  chuie  to  come 
within  reach  of  our  guns.     The   Roe-buck  was   at  the 
mouth  of  Rappahannock,     The  Colonel  fays,    when  he 
came  away,  the  whole  fleet  had  failed,  and  were  out  of 
fight,  and  it  was  uncertain   where  they  are  gone  ;  fup- 
pofeto  Maryland-?  They  went  off  in  a  bad  plight,  with 
out  bifcuit  or  water,     Their  works  were  found  of  excel- 
lent conftru&iou   and  confiderablc   extent  ;  they  were 
preparing  to   build  Iioufes  and   a  wind-mill :  they  had 
made  a  vait  collection  of  materials  for  different  works  j 
their  tents,  which  they  moved  oft'  except  one    marquee, 
which  wai  left  in  their  hurry,  and  through  which  a  can- 
nOl^ 


(    *7i    ) 

Hon  ball  had  palled,  were  capable  of  containing  abc 
feven  or  eight  hundred  men.  From  many  circumitan- 
ccs  it  is  evident  they  meant  to  ftay  there  a  coniidcrahlo 
time.  I  have  been  interrupted  in  writing,  and  before 
I  could  return  to  my  feral!,  I  had  the  happinefs  to  re- 
ceive your  letter  of  the  third  of  July.  1  molt,  heartily 
congratulate  you  on  vour  fuecefs  •,  it  was  a  moil  gloriOu  i 
affair — a  noble  defence  !  The  Britiih  navy  has  been  hap- 
pily checked  in  her  proud  career,  and  has  received  a 
mod  juft  and  complete  chaftifement.  What  mult  the 
king  thiiik  now  ?  The  whole  continent  in  arms  again  u. 
him,  feven  hundred  and  fifty  of  his  favourite  highlander>, 
in  our  poiTeiTion.   and  his  fleets  repulfed   and  difgraced 

.  along  our  coafta  for  two  thoufand  miles  !  I  hope  he  will 
repent  and  be  contented  to  put  up  with  the  lols  of  Ame- 
rica, or,  if  he  does  not,  that  he  may  meet  with  repeated 
difappointment.  The  Marylanders  were  routed  by  the 
refolve  of  our  Convention,  and  have  lectured  their  repre- 
sentatives fo  well,  that  they  have  unanimoufly  voted  for 
independence — they  have  nooccafton  for  our  riile-meu 
on  that  account  :  However  I  can  allure  you  on  the  Eas- 
tern fhore  of  Maryland  there  has  been*  a  confiderablc  in- 
furrecftion  of  Tories,  infomuch  that  Colonel  Fleming  baa 
been  obliged  to  march  with  a  hundred  and  twenty  men 
to  quell  them.  "We  have  not  ytt  heard  the  event  of  that 
affair.  I  have  juft  now  received  another  letter  from 
you,  and  am  delighted  with  your  deiciiption  of  the  bra- 

•  very  of  Colonel  Moultrie  anil  the  garrifon  of  Fort-Sulli- 
van. It  is  not  flattery,  my  dear  General,  when  I  tell 
you,  that  molt  of  us  here  attribute  the  glorious  difplay 
of  bravery  on  that  day,  to  the  animating  pretence  of  a 
commander,  who,  independent  of  his  great  military  abi- 
lities and  experience,  appeared  to  be  the  evil  genius  of 
Clinton,  who  had  followed  him,  and  from  whofe  pre- 
fence  he  had  feemed  to  retire  and  retreat  along  the  coait, 
from  Bofton  to  Charlefton.  All  that  I  could  do,'  as 
there  were  not  gentlemen  enough  in  town  to  make  a 
council,  was  to  defire  brigadier  Lewis  to  fend  immedi- 
ately 


(    «?:    ) 

to  North-Carolina,  ail  the  powder  that  could  be 
fparcd  out  of  the  magazine.  About  lour  thoufaiid  pounds 
will  be  feat. 

1  am  moll  Gncerely  yours, 

JOHN  PAGE. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


Dear  General.  Philadelphia,  July,  23d,  1776. 

It  would  take  a  volume  to  tell  you  how  many  clever 
things  were  faid  of  you  and  the  brave  troops  under  your 
command,  after  hearing  of  your  late  victory  It  has 
given  a  wonderful  turn  to  our  affairs.  The  lofs  of  Ca- 
nada had  (truck  the  fpirits  of  many  people,  who  now 
begin  to  think  our  caufe  is  not  abandoned,  arid  that  we 
fball  yet  triumph  over  our  enemies. 

The  declaration  of  independence  has  produced  a  new 
asra  in  this  part  of  America.  The  militia  of  Pennfylva- 
nia  feem  to  be  actuated  with  a  fpirit  more  than  Roman. 
Near  two  thoufand  citizens  of  Philadelphia  have  lately 
inarched  towards  New-York,  in  order  to  prevent  an  in- 
curfion  being  made  by  our  enemies  upon  the  ftate  of 
New-Jerfey.  The  cry  of  them  all  h  for  battle*  I  think 
Mr.  Howe  will  not  be  able  to  get  a  footing  in  New- York, 
and  that  he  will  end  the  prefent,  or  begin  the  next  cam- 
paign in  Canada,  or  in  fome  one  of  the  Southern  colo- 
nies ; — the  only  places  in  which  America  is  vulnerable. 
We  depend  upon  Gates  in  the  North,  and  you  oblige  us 
to  hope  for  great  things  from  the  South. 

The  Tories  quiet,  but  very  furly.  Lord  Howe's  pro- 
clamation leaves  them  not.  a  fingle  filament  of  their  cob- 
web doctrine  of  reconciliation. 

The  fpirit  of  iiberty  reigns  triumphant  in  Pennfylva- 
nia.  The  proprietary  gentry  have  retired  to  their  coun- 
try feats,  and  honeit  men  have  taken  the  feats  they  abu-. 
fed  fo  much  in  the  government  of  our  Mate. 

The  papers  will  inform  you,  that  I  have  been  thruft 
into  Congrefs.     I  find  there  is  a  great  deal  of  difference 

between 


(     f73     ) 

between  iporting  a  fentiment  in  a  letter,  or  over  a  glafe 
of  wine  upon  politics,  and  discharging  properly  the  duty 
of  a  fenator.  I  feel  myfelf  unequal  to  every  part  of  my 
new  lituatien,  except  where  plain  integrity  is  required, 
My  former  letters  to  you  may  pafs  hereafter  for  a  leaf 
of  the  Sibyls.  They  are  full  of  predictions  }  and,  what 
is  itiil  more  uncommon,  fome  of  them  have  proved  true. 
I  mall  go  on,  and  add,  that  I  think  the  declaration  of 
independence  will  produce  union  and  new  exertions  in 
England  in  the  fame  ratio  that  they  have  done  in  this 
country.  The  prefent  campaign,  I  believe,  is  only  cic- 
figned  to  train  us  for  the  duties  of  next  fummer. 
Adieu, 

Yours  fincerelv, 

An  OLD  FRIEND. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


My  dear  Lee,  New-York  -V.;_  :771-- 

NOTWITHSTANDING  I  {ball  probably  feel  the 
effect,  I  do  moil  cordially  and  Gncerely  congratulate  you 
on  your  victory  over  Clinton  and  the  Britiih  fquadron  at 
Sullivan's-Iftand.  A  victory  undoubtedly  it  is,  when  an 
enemy  are  drubbed,  and  driven  from  a  country  they 
were  fent  to  conquer.  Such  is  the  cafqj  of  Clinton  and 
Sir  Peter  Parker,  who  are  now  with  the  fleet  and  army 
at  Staten-Ifland,  where  General  Howe  aad  the  troops 
from  Halifax  have  been  ever  fmce  the  laft  day  of  June, 
and  Lord  Howe  fmce  the  twelfth  of  July.  Some  Hef- 
fians  and  a  pretty  many  of  the  Scottifh  laddies  have  got 
in,  and  the  refidueof  the  fleet  parted  with,  off  the  banks 
of  Newfoundland,  hourly  expected.  When  the  whole 
arrive,  matters  will  foon  come  to  a  decifion,  every  thing 
being  prepared  on  both  fides  for  the  appeal,  and  on  ours, 
1  hope  it  will  be  obftinate,  if  not  fuccefsful. 

The  latter,  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  mortals  to  com- 
mand ;  but  they  may  endeavour  to  deferve  it  y  and  this 
J  am  purfuaded,  our  troops  will  more  than  ever  aim  at, 
Q  2  as 


(     174     ) 

as  I have  imprefFed  upon  their   minds  the  gallant  b 
viour  of  the  brave  few,   who  defended  SullivanVMland. 

At  prefent,  the-enemy  can  bring  more  men  to  a  point 
than  we  can,  and  when  reinforced  by  the  Helhans  with- 
out number,  as  iinlefs  the  militia  Mailer  than hertoforc) 
come  into  our  aid,  their  numbers,  when  the  Heihans  ar* 
rive,  cannot,  by  the  belt  intelligence  we  can  get,  fall 
ihort  ol  twenty-five  thoufand  men.  Ours  are  under 
twenty,  very  ficklyi  and  polled  on  Governor's-Iiland, 
Long-Ifland,  at  Powlcs-Hook,  Horn's-Hook,  and  at  the 
pais  near  King's  Bridge  ;  more  militia  are  expected,  but 
whether  they  will  be  in  time,  time  only  can  tell,  as  alio 
where  the  point  of  attack  will  be.  An  opinion  prevails, 
countenanced  by  hints  from  fome  of  the  principal  Tories, 
and  corroborated  by  intelligence  from  Staten-Illand,  that 
part  of  the  enemy's  fleet  and  army  will  go  into  the  Sound, 
whilft  another  part  of  it  runs  up  the  North-River,  there- 
by cutting  offall  communication  by  water  with  this  place, 
whilft  their  troops  form  a  chain  acrofs  the  neck,  and 
Hop  an  intercourse  with  Connecticut  by  land  :  others 
think  they  will  not  leave  an  army  in  their  rear,  whillt 
they  have  the  country  in  their  front,  getting  by  that 
means  between  two  fires,  unlets  it  is  intended  as  a  feint 
to  withdraw  our  troops  from  the  city,  that  they  may  flip 
in  and  poflefs  themfelves  of  it :  all  this  is  but  a  Held  of 
conjecture. 

Our  affairs  in  the  North  have  been  growing  from  bad 
to  worfe,  Hill  I  hope  they  will  mend,  as  one  great  fource 
of  the  evil  is  in  a  way  of  being  removed,  1  mean,  the 
fmall  pox  ;  but  the  army  have  retreated  from  place  to 
place,  till  they  are  now  got  to  Ticonderoga,  oppolite  to 
which,  on  the  Eaft  tide  of  the  Lake  Champlain,  they 
are  about  to  eftablilh  a  poft,  which  they  fay  will  be  in- 
vulnerable-, but  whether  it  may  be  fomewhat  like  the 
man  who  built  a  mill  on  account  of  a  beautiful  fall,  and 
then  had  to  confider  whether  it  was  practicable  to  bring 
water  to  it,  remains  in  fome  meafure  to  be  determined, 
as  it  is  the  opinion  of  fome,  (I  know  nothing  of  the 
country  nvyfelf)  that  the  enemy  may  pafs  this  poll  and 

get 


(     **     ) 

get  into  Lake  George,  without  receiving  the  lead  annoy-- 
ance  from  this   work,     Whether  they   would  chufe   to 
leave  a  poll  in  their  roar  without  eftablilbing   one  thern- 
felyeSj  iufiicient  to  keep  it.  in  awe,  is  the  point  in  quef- 
tion. 

It  gives  rne  a  very  lingular  pleafuve  to  hear  of  the 
Jam  behaviour  of  your  young  aids,  ami  IMr.  Jenc 
alio  of  Colonels  Moultrie  and  Thompl'on  ;  to  be  the 
means  at  any  time,  oi  rewarding  merit,  will  add  greatly 
to  mv  happinefs  ;  and  whenever  yoti  can  point  out  a 
mode  that  can  be  adopted  confidently,  you  fliail  fmd  me 
very  ready  :  but  you  know,  the  temper  of  the  troops  in 
this  (punter,  as  well '  as  I  do,  and  how  impracticable  it 
bring  in  a  perfon,  let  his  merit  be  ever  fo  great, 
out  throwing  a  whole  corps  into  confufion.  This 
will  alio  apply  to  Captain  Bullet.  What  vacancies  there 
may  be  in  your  department  that  he  has  his  eye  to,  and 
could  be  appointed  to  with  propriety,  you  mult  know 
better  than  I.  That  there  is  none  here,  1  can  undertake 
to  lay.  1  have  no  doubt  but  the  Congrcfs  would  annex 
the  rank  of  colonel  to  his  oiricc  o£  adjutant.  I  believe  they 
have  done  it  in  the  inltanee  of  Griffin,  who  is  appointed 
deputy-adjutant  to  the  Hying  camp.  It  this  would  add 
any  thing  to  his  latisfaction,  1  lhould  have  no  objection 
to  the  mention  of  it.  With  every  wifli  for  your  profperity 
and  iuccefs,  I  remain  with  lineere  regard, 

Your  molt  affectionate  and  obedient, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 
Gen.  Lee. 


Dear  Si«,  General  Green's  Quartets,  Nov.  i6th.  1776'. 

YOU  will  fee  by  the  inclofed  refolves,  that  Congrefs 
has  entered  into  fome  new  regulations  relpecYmg  the 
enliftment  of  the  new  army,  and  reprobating  the  mea- 
fures  adopted  by  the  ftate  of  Mafiachufetto-Bay  for  rai- 
ling their  quota  of  men. 

As  every  poflible  exertion  fhouldbc  ufed  for  recruiting 
the  army,  as  ipeedily  as  may  be,  I  requeit  that  you  imr 

mediately 


(     17*    ) 

mediately  publifb,  in  orders,  that  an  allowance  of  a  dol- 
lar and  one-third  of  a  dollar  will  be  paid  to  the  officers 
for  every  foldier  they  iliall  enlift,  whether  in  or  out  of 
camp. 

Alfo,  that  it  will  be  optional  in  the  foldier  to  enlift 
during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  or  for  three  years, 
unlefs  fooner  difcharged  by  congrefs.  In  the  former 
cafe  they  are  to  receive  all  fuch  bounty  and  pay  as  have 
been  hertofore  mentioned  in  orders  ;  thofe  who  engage 
for  the  latter  time,  that  of  three  years  are  not  to  receive 
the  bounty  in  land. 

That  no  miftakes  may  be  made,  you  will  direct  the  re- 
cruiting officers,  from  your  divifion  to  provide  two  di- 
ftin&  enlifting  rolls  •,  one  for  thole  to  fign  who  engage 
during  the  war,  the  other  for  thofe  who  enlift  for  three 
years,  if  their  fervice  fliall  be  fo  long  required. 

I  am  forry  to  inform  you,  that  this  day,  about  twelve 
o'clock,  the  enemy  made  a  general  attack  upon  our  lines 
about  Fort-Wafhington,  which  having  carried,  the  garri- 
fon  retired  within  the  fort.  Colonel  Magaw,  finding 
there  was  no  profpe£r.  of  retreating  a-crofs  the  North- 
River,  furrendered  the  poft.  We  do  not  yet  know  the 
lofs  of  killed  and  wounded  on  either  fide  ;  but  I  imagine 
it  muft  have  been  pretty  confiderable,  as  the  engagement, 
at  fome  parts  of  the  lines  was  of  long  continuance,  and 
heavy.  Neither  do  I  know  the  terms  of  capitulation. 
The  force  of  the  garrifon,  before  the  attack,  was  about 
two  thoufand  men. 

Before  I  left  Peek's-kill,  I  urged  to  General  Heath, 
the  neceffity  of  fecuring  the  pafs  through  the  Highlands 
next  to  the  river,  as  well  on  that  as  this  fide,  and  to  the 
forts  above ;  but  as  the  preferring  of  thefe  and  others 
which  lay  more  eafterly,  and  which  are  equally  eflenti- 
al,  is  a  matter  of  the  laft  importance,  I  muft  beg  you  to 
turn  your  attention  that  way,  and  to  have  fuch  meafures 
adopted  for  their  defence  as  your  judgment  fliall  fug- 
geft  to  be  neceflary.  I  do  not  mean  to  advife  abandon- 
ing your  prefent  poft  contrary  to  your  own  opinion,  but 
cnly  to  mention  my  ideas  of  the  importance  of  thofe  paf~ 

fes, 


(     1/7     ) 

fes,  and  that  you  cannot  give  too  much  attention  to\ 
their  fecurity,  by  hiving  works  ere&ed  in  the  moft  ad- 
vantageous places  for  that  purpofe. 
I  am,  dear  Sir, 

"Vour  moll  obedient  fervant, 

GLORGE  WASHINGTON, 
Gen.  Lee. 


The  RESOLVES    of  CONGRESS 

MENTIONED    IN    THE     PRECEDING    LETTER. 


In  CONGRESS,  November  7th,  1776. 
RESOLVED,  That  the  refolution  palled  the  14th  of 
October  lad,  That  the  allowance  to  officers  of  one  and 
one-third  of  a  dollar  for  enlifting  foldiers,  be  not  extend- 
ed or  given  on  the  rc-enliftment  of  the  foldiers  in  camp, 
be  repealed. 

Nov.   1 2th,  1775. 

RESOLVED,  As  the  opinion  of  this  Congrefs,  that 
if  the  foldiers  to  be  raifed  by  the  Hate  of  M.ifTachufetts- 
Bay,  be  enlifted  on  the  terms  offered  to  them  (which 
are  more  advantageous  than  what  are  offered  to  other  fol- 
diers ferving  in  the  fame  army)  it  would  much  retard,  if 
not  totally  impede,  the  enliftment  of  the  latter,  and  pro- 
duce difcontent  and  murmur,  unlefs  Congrefs  fhould 
equally  increafe  the  pay  of  thefe  ;  which  it  is  the  opinion 
of  this  Congrefs  would  univerfally  be  reprobated  as  an 
immoderate  expence,  and  complained  of,  as  a  grievous 
burden,  by  thofe  who  may  bear  it  j  rtnd  therefore,  that 
the  committee  from  the  ftatc  of  Maffachufctts-Bay,  'be 
defired  not  to  enlilt  their  men  on  the  additional  pay  ol~ 
fered  by  the  Affembly  of  that  Itate. 

Upon  reconfidering  the  Refolution  of  the  16th  of  Sep- 
tember Laftj  for  raifirig  eighty-eight  battalions,  to  ferve 
during  the  prefent  war  with  Great  Britain,  Congrefs  be- 
ing of  opinion,  that  the  readmefs  cf  the  inhabitants  of 

the 


(     ift    ) 

the  Hates  to  enter  into  the  fen  ice  for  limited  times,  iit 
defence  of  their  invaluable  privileges,  on  all  former  oc- 
casions, gives  good  ground  to  hope  the  fame  zeal  for  the 
public  good  will  appear  in  future  when  neceflitv  calls  for 
their  aiiiitancc  j  ami  the  Uncertain  length  of  time  which 
forttfa  railed  during  the  continuance  of  the  war  may  be 
compelled  to  ferve,  may  prevent  many  from  enliiting 
who  would  othcrvvife  readily  manifeft  their  attachment 
to  the  common  caufe,  by  engaging  for  a  limited  time, 
therefore, 

RESOLVED,  That  all  non-commiihcned  officers  and 
foldiers,  who  do  not  incline  to  engage  their  fervices  du- 
ring the  continuance  of  the  prefent  war,  and  lhall  enlift 
to  ferve  three  years,  unlefs  fooner  difcharged  by  Congrefs, 
{hall  be  entitled  to,  and  receive,  all  fuch  bounty  and  pay 
as  are  allowed  to  thofe  who  enlift  during  the  continuance 
of  the  prefent  war,  except  the  one  hundi-ed  acres  of  land, 
which  is  to  be  gr^ated  to  thofe  oh-ly  who  enlilt  without 
limitation  of  time. 

And  each  recruiting  officer  Is  required  to  provide  two 
diftinft  enlifting  rolls  j  one  for  fuch  to  fign  who  enlift 
during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  and  the  other  for  fuch 
as  enlilt  for  three  years,  if  their  fervice  fhall  be  fo  long 
required. 

By  order  of  the  Congrefs, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  Pref. 

COPY; 

JRobert  Harrison. 


Deae  Cewerai,  Ilackenfjick,  Nov.   ZX&,  177$. 

THE  letter  you  will  receive  with  this  contains  my  fen- 
timents  with  refpeci  to  your  prefent  ftatlon  ;  but  befides 
this  I  have  fome  additional  reafons  for  moft  earneftly 
wifliing  to  have  you  where  the  principal  fcene  of  action 
is  laid,  I  do  not  mean  to  flatter  nor  praife  you  at  the 
expence  of  any  other,  but  I  confefs  I  do  think  that  it  is 
entirely  owing  to  you,  that  this  army  and  the  liberties 

of 


(     '79     ) 

of  America,  fo  far  as  they  are  dependant  on  it,  are  not 
totally  cut  off.  You  have  decifion,  a  quality  often  want* 
ing  in  minds  otherwife  valuable  ;  and  I  afcribe  to  this  our 
efcape  from  York-Ifland,  from  King's-Bridgc,  and  the 
Plains  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt,  had  you  been  here,  the  gav- 
rifon  of  Mount-Wafiiington  would  now  have  composed 
a  part  of  this  army  ;  and  from  all  thefe  circumftancc;;, 
t  confefc  I  ardently  wi(h  to  fee  you  removed  from  a  place 
where  I  think  there  will  be  little  call  for  your  judgment 
and  experience,  to  the  place  where  they  are  likely  to  be 
fo  neceffary.  Nor  am  I  lingular  in  my  opinion,  every 
gentleman  of  the  family,  the  officers,  and  foldiers,  ge- 
nerally) have  a  confidence  in  you  :  the  enemy  conftantiy 
enquire  whejre  you  are,  and  fcem  to  me  to  be  iefs  confi- 
de at  when  you  are  pre  lent, 

Colonel  Cadwallader,  through  a  fpeciaj  indulgence,  on' 
account  of  fome  civilities  (hewn  by  his  family  to  General 
Prcfcot, has  been  liberated  from  New-York  without  any 
parole,  lie  informs,  that  the  enemy  have  a  fouthem  ex- 
pedition in  view-,  that  they  hold  us  very  cheap  in  confe- 
quence  of  the  late  affair  at  Mount- Washington,  where 
both  the  plan  pf  defence  and  execution  were  conternptb- 
b!e.  If  a  real  defence  of  the  lines  was  intended,  the  num- 
ber was  too  few  ;  if  the  Fort  only,  the  gurilou  was  too 
numerous  by  .half.  General  Washington's  own  judg- 
ment,  feconded  by  representations  from  us,  would,  I  be- 
lieve, have  laved  the  men  and  their  arms  ;  but,  unluckily, 
General  Green's  judgment  was  contrary,  This  kept 
the  General's  mind  in  a  State  of  luipenfe  till  the  Stroke 
was  ftruck,  Oh,  General !  an  indecifive  mind  is  one 
ot  the  greateft  misfortunes  that  can  befal  an  arn:y  ;  how 
often  have  I  lamented  it  this  campaign  ! 

All  circuirrftanccs  confidcred,  we  are  in  a  very  awful, 
alarming  Rate,  one  that  requires  the  utmoft  wildom  and 
firmnefs  of  mind. 

As  foon  as  the-  fenfon  will  admit,  I  think  yourfelf  and 
fome  others  Should  go  t<y  Congrels,  and  form  the  plan  of 
the  new  army,  point  out  their  defecU  to  them,  and,  if 
poflible,  prevail  en  them  to  bind  their  v.  hole  attention 

to 


(     i8o     ) 

to  this  great  object,  even  to  the  exclufion  of  every  other. 
It  they  will  not,  or  cannot,  do  this,  I  fear  all  our  exertions 
will  be  vain  in  this  part  of  the  world.  Foreign  afliftance 
is  foliciting,  but  we  cannot  expec\  they  will  fight  the 
whole  battle. 

I  intended  to  have  faid  more,  but  the  exprefs  is  wait- 
ing, and  I  mud  conclude   with  my  clear  and  explicit 
opinion,  that  your  prefence  is  of  the  laft  importance. 
I  am,  with  much  affection  and  regard, 
Your  very  affectionate, 
Humble  fervant, 

JOSEPH  REED,  Adjt.  Gen. 
Major  Gen.  Lee, 
at  the  "White-Plains. 


My  Dear  General,  Philadelphia,  Aug.  30th,  1778- 

I  AM  fhocked,  confounded,  and  exceedingly  chagrin- 
ed to  hear  the  court  have  adjudged  you  guilty  of  all  the 
charges  alledged  againft  you,  and  have  fufpended  you  one 
year  on  account  of  it.  The  fentence  is  as  unaccountable 
to  me,  as  that  they  ihould  find  you  guilty. 

Matters  have  been  fo  curfedly  reprefeiited  againft  you 
in  this  place,  that  I  have  been  almoft  mobbed  in  defend- 
ing you.  Ten  thoufand  infamous  lies  have  been  fpvead, 
that  I  never  heard  before,  to  bias  the  friends  of  the  peo- 
ple againft  you.  In  the  name  of  God,  what  are  we  come 
to  ? — So  much  for  our  repitblicamfm. 

I  am  beyond  description  unhappy,  I  feel  for  the  inju- 
ry of  a  man  I  fo  fincerely  efteem— a  man  whofe  merit  is 
fo  confpicuous  throughout  the  world  ;  and  more  parti- 
cularly for  a  man,  who,  if  juitice  was*  to  take  place  and 
fails  properly  known,  merited  the  thanks  of  the  conti- 
nent, for  the  traufaclions  of  that  day,  in  a  moil  lingular 
manner. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  fee  Mr.  Lcc ;  I  called  twice, 
but  he  was  not  at  home  ;  to-morrow  morning  I  fliall 
have  the  pleafurc,  S[  expeel,  a^T  intend  to- call  again. — 

General 


(     i8i     ) 

General  Mifflin  will  be  in  town  to-morrow,  whom  I  thai! 
iikewife  vifit. 

My  fincere  affection  you  will  ever  command,  and  I 
fhall  never  efteem  myfelf  fo  happy  as  when  I  can  hart 
it  in  my  power  to  render  you  a  fervice. 

I  will,  in  two  or  three  days,  fet  out  for  camp,  in  order 
to  have  an  interview  with  you. 

I  am,  dear  Genera), 

Your's  affectionately, 

#  *   *   » 

Major  General  Lee. 


Sir,  Frunfwick,  Jan.  r6th,  1779. 

I  AM  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  1 8th  ult.  and 
can  allure  you,  that  of  the  merit  or  demerit  of  your  con- 
duct in  the  affair  of  Monmouth,  on  the  28th of  June,  I 
have  not  to  this  day  framed  any  opinion.  I  have  fo  lit- 
tle lcifure  to  attend  to  the  military  operations  of  Ameri- 
ca, and  am  fo  incompetent  a  judge  of  the  qualifications 
neceflary  to  cenftitute  the  character  or  a  general,  that  I 
make  no  judgment  at  all.  But  without  admitting  or  de- 
riving that  you  have  made  greater  facrificea  in  the  eaufe 
of  American  freedom  than  any  officer  of  our  whole  ar- 
mv,  without  a  fingle  exception,  and  that  it  is  not  lefs  cer- 
tain that  you  have  laved  OUT  whole  army  more  than  once 
from  deftru&lon  ;  (the  proofs  of  which  are  not  in  my 
pofTellion)  I  can  aflufe  you,  that  I  heartily  difapprove  of 
all  publications  containing  perfoual  reflections  on  the 
character  of  any  gentleman,  and  efpecially  on  thofe  of 
your  rank,  in  the  American  army.  And  if  what  was 
prefented  to  the  public,  as  a  mere  republication  cf  a  pa-* 
per  formerly  printed  by  a  Virginian*  lias  been,  as  you 
fay,  republished  with  many  malicious  alterations  and  ad- 
ditions, it  is  (till  the  more  inexcufabie  ;  becaule  all  fuch 
alterations  and  additions,  befides  their  particular  malig- 
nity againfl  you  (for  which  alone  I  lliould  condemn  them) 
are  an  impolition  upon  the  world  ;  and  in  „muft  be  con- 

R  •  f.dercd, 


(       lS2       ) 

fi<lercd,  by  every  man  of  honour,  be  the  legal  conftruo 
tion  what  it  will,  as  a  downright  forgery.  I  can  further 
aflfure  you,  that  I  cannot  but  difapprovc  of  Mr.  Collins's 
inferring  the  paper  you  refer  to  in  his  Gazette,  not  only 
beeaufe  no  printer  ought  to  make  his  prefs  a  vehicle  for 
perfonal  flaudcr,  but  beeaufe  he  fet  out  with  a  profeffed 
declaration  againft  diverting  his  paper  to  fugh  purpofes, 
and  has  fo  tenaeioufly  adhered  to  that  maxim  till  the 
publication  in  (position,  as  to  reject,  if  my  information 
be  true,  feveral  pieces  on  account  of  the  perfonal  reflec- 
tions they  contained  on  gentlemen  in  the  fervice  of  the 
enemy,  and  which  the  law  of  retaliation  would  clearly 
have  warranted  him  to  infert.  And  I  mult  declare,  in 
jullice  to  him,  and  from  what  I  perfonally  know  of  his 
"humane  difpofition,  and  his  difmclination  to  convey  thro' 
the  channel  of  his  prefs  any  thing  injurious  to  the  repu- 
tation of  others,  that  I  firmly  believe,  he  has  taken  the 
paper,  prefented  to  him  as  a  copy  of  a  republication  in 
Virginia,  for  a  true  copy.  And  it  is  generally  fuppofed, 
by  virtue  of  what  law  i  know  not,  but  perhaps  by  one 
as  rational  as  that  of  deciding  controversies  by  private 
.combat,  in  civil  communities  which  reprobate  that  mode 
of  decifron,  that  a  printer,  by  the  bare  republication  of  a 
paper,  is  not  prefumed  to  adopt  the  fentiments  ;  and 
That,  by  diicloiing  tc  the  party  aggrieved,  at  whofe  in- 
ftance  it  was  republiflied,  he  always  averts  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  iufferer  from  himfelf  to  that  perfon.  I  fliould, 
however,  be  very  forry  to  find  any  of  our  printers  imi- 
tate the  practice  of  the  Britifh  fubje&s  in  New-York, 
who,  whether  they  excel  us  in  military  difcipline  and 
courage  or  not,  have,  to  my  certain  knowledge,  hitherto 
furpafled  us  in  printed  calumny  and  detra&ion. 

From  thefe  my  fentiments  rcfpect;ing  the  printers  of 
defamatory  papers,  I  hope  .Sir,  you  will  not  cmeltion 
my  dinippiobatian  both  of  the  original  authors,  arid  the 
iecondary  propagators,  of  (lander,  But  neither  Mr. 
t'ouduiot's  appointment  to,  nor  depofuion  from,  his  of- 
fice, as  com  miliary  of  our  date  prifoners,  being  in  my 
denaranynt,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  do  you  the  jufiice 

■  which 


(  tfj  ) 

which  you  feem  to  expect  in  that  line  ;  nor  is  there 
Authority  in  this  Mate  by  which  he  can  be  cafluefed,  ti  I 
the  next  meeting  of  our  allcmbly,  which  ib:nd>  adjourn- 
ed to  the  19th  of  May.  But  the  law  of  the  Mate  is  at* 
ways  at  every  one's  fervice  *  and  in  the  cafe  of  libels,  it 
we  are  to  credit  the  British  lawyers,  lb  peculiarly  fa 
vourable  to  the  proiccutor,  that  the  ieandai  is  m 
Ids  penal  for  feting  true,  than  if  it  w<io  uttei 
which,  I  think,  is  giving  a  man  as  great  a  chance  as  can 
Teafonably  be  de fired  s  and  perhaps,  if  you  thought  pre  • 
per  to  publifh  your  letter  to  me  on  the  fuhjed.  undrt: 
confederation,  it  would  be  as  ample  fatisfaction •  again  k 
iVIr.  Boudinot,  as  the  nature  of  the  offence  require  , 
but  that  I -entirely  fubmit  to  your  better  judgment.  In 
a  word,  Sir,  whenever  it  fhall  be  pointed  out  to  ttM  ill 
what  manner  I  can,  with  any  propriety,  interfere  in  th»; 
matter,  either  as  governor  of  this  ftate,  or  as  a  private 
^gentleman,  I  lhall  not  hefitate  a  moment  to  do  you  all 
the  juftice  which  I  conceive  you  deferve.  In  the  mean 
time,  I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  re -acknowledge  my 
grateful  fenfe  of  your  friendly  intimations,  fome  time 
fVnce,  of  the  enemy's  peculiar  relentment  againft  me, 
and  your  kind  concern  for  my  perfonal  iafcty  on  that 
account.  I  muft,  however,  take  the  liberty  to  fay,  as  .1 
man  detached  from  all  parties  and  wholly  devoted  to 
what  he  thinks  the  true  interelts  of  his  country,  that  [ 
(hould  be  extremely  unhappv  in  having  reafon  to  believe 
what  is  frequently,  and  perhaps  injurioufly,  reported  of 
you,  that  you  endeavoured  to  leffen  the  estimation  in 
which  General  Wafhington  is  held  by  the  moil  virtuous 
citizens  of  America ;  and  which  efiimation,  not,  Sir, 
from  a  blind  attachment  to  men  of  high  rank,  nor  from 
any  felf-interefted  motive  whatibever,  but  from  a  full 
conviction  of  his  great  perfonal  merit  and  public  impor- 
tance, I  deem  it  my  duty  to  my  country  to  ufe  my  utmoffc 
influence  to  fupport. 

I  am,  with  all  due  refpect,  Sir, 

Your  moft  humble  fcrvant, 
Major  Gen.  Lee.  W.  LIVINGSTON. 

My 


('    t»4     ) 

My  BtAfc   Fkiknd,  Philadelphia,  Oft.  »{,  t*-£4 

I  AM  diftrefled  to  think  that  all  your  friendly  letters 
and  menaces  to  me  have  met  with  iuch  ungrateful  re- 
turns. I  nave  written  two  letters  to  you,  one  of  which 
was  inclofed  under  a  cover,  directed  to  Mr.  Wolfo'rd, 
and  put  into  the  Poft-Oiiicc  ;  the  other  was  miilaid  and 
loft  before  I  could  hear  of  an  opportunity  of  fending  it. 
You  fee  from  this,  that  I  have  not  been  unmindful  of 
you.  Ycu  have  wounded  me  in  fuppofing  that  I  am 
carried  away  by  the  tide  of  the  times.  I  would  as  foon 
be  fufpedted  of  picking  a  pocket,  as  of  infidelity  in  friend- 
fhip,  or  idolatry  in  politics. 

Major  Euftaee  informed  me  of  your  reply  to  Prefident 
Reeds  publications.  Our  printers  refufed  to  give  it  a 
place  in  their  papers  :  it-  was  beft  for  you  they  did  fo. 
Have  patience  ;  time  and  pofterity  will  do  you  juftiee. 
The  fummer  flies  that  now  din  our  ears  muit  foon  re- 
tire. Nothing  but  virtue  and  real  abilities  will  finally 
pafs  mufter,  when  the  public  cool  a  little  from  the  fer- 
ment into  which  the  great  and  fudden  events  of  the  late 
revolution  have  thrown  us.  I  would  rather  be  one  of 
your  dogs  in  a  future  hiftory  of  the  prefent  war,  than 
pofTefs  the  firft  honours  that  are  now  current  in  America, 
with  the  characters  which  I  know  fome  of  our  great  men 
merit.  Poor  Pennfylvania  has  become  the  molt  refera- 
ble fpot  upon  the  furface  of  the  globe.  Our  ftreets,  alas  ! 
have  been  Rained  already  with  fraternal  blood  ;  a  fad  pre- 
lude, we  fear,  of  the  future  mifchiefs  our  conftitution 
will  bring  upon  us  ;  they  call  it  a  democracy,  a  mobo- 
cracy  in.  my  opinion  would  be  more  proper.  All  our 
taws  breathe  the  fpirit  of  town  meetings  and  porter 
(hops  :  but  I  forget  that  I  am  not  fafe  in  committing  my 
opinion  of  men  and  meafures  to  paper.  Oh,  Liberty  ! 
Liberty  !  1  have  worfhipped  thee  as  a  fubftance  ! — But 
— it  is  near  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  and  I  am  much  fa- 
vgued  with  an  unlifual  {hare  of  buiinefs,  for,  in  the  true 
ftile  of  the  fubje£r  of  a  monarch,  my  family  and  my  bu- 
nefs  now  engrofs  all  my  time  and  attention — my  coun- 
try I  have  long  ago  left  to  the  care  of  Timothv  Matlack, 

Charles 


C     i35     ) 

Charles  Wilibn  Pcale,  and  Co.  I  muft  therefore  bid  you 
good  night,  wifhing  you  at  the  fame  time  all  pofiiblc 
health  and  happinefs,  and  am,  my  dear  Lee, 

Your  fincere  and  affectionate 
OLD  FRIEND. 
Major  Gen.  Lee. 


My  Dear  Lee,  York-town,  Oft,  21ft,  1781. 

THERE  are  few  circumftances,  that  give  me  equal 
pleafure  to  that  of  hearing  from  my  friends  ;  and  as  my 
elteem  for  you  has  ever  increafed  in  proportion  to  your 
misfortunes  in  the  road  of  perfecution,  I  am  always  made 
happy  in  a  line  from  you,  as  it  announces  your  prefent 
fituation. 

Your  being  robbed  of  your  horfes  is  a  common  evil, 
and  its  falling  harder  on  you  than  any  other  perfon  is 
what  I  Ihould  have  expected,  from  the  difpofition  of 
wretches  always  difpofed  to  heap  coals  on  the  head  of  the 
injured.  I  am  happy  ever  in  having  it  in  my  power  to 
inform  you  of  the  good  eftecm  in  which  you  arc  held  in 
the  army;  and  that  they  are  not  now,  whatever  they 
have  been,  inclined  to  purine  the  track  of  peilccution, 
beaten  fo  bare  as  it  is  by  creatures  whofe  praife  would 
be  a  diflionour  to  any  honeir.  man. 

Poor  Fleury,  the  other  day,  called  me  a-one-fule  to 
whifper  to  me,  and  after  looking  round,  to  prevent  a  pol- 
fibility  of  being  over-heard,  he  afked  me  what  had  be- 
come of  you  ?  I  could  not  help  fmiling,  and,  in  my  re- 
ply, telling  him  you  was  very  well,  and  that  he  need 
not  be  afraid  of  acknowledging  an  acquaintance  with 
General  Lee  in  the  mod  public  aflembly  in  America  j 
that  I  efteemed  it  an  honour  to  call  myfelf  his  friend  ; 
that  my  fincere  attachment  to  him  was  amply  rewarded 
by  the  univerfal  approbation  of  all  good  and  fenfib'e  men. 
He  anfwered  me,  he  was  very  glad  of  it :  it  was  every 
where  known  in  France  that  you  had  been  ill-treated, 
and  that  every  perfon  lamented  your  misfortune. 

R  2  The 


(     180     ) 

The  furrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  army  will 
reach  yon  before  tins  letter.  I  think  this  is  a  circum- 
ftance which  mull  fecure  to  America  her  independence. 
What  will  follow,  1  leave  to  time.  It  mud  have  been  ;i 
mortifying  circumftance  to  my  lord,  to  have  foliuted 
terms,  as  no  demand  of  a  furrender  was  made.  We  had 
juft  completed  our  fecond  parallel,  at  two  hundred 
yards  from  his  main  workb.  In  the  capitulation  he  was 
not  permitted  to  uncafe  his  colours,  or  to  beat  an  Ame- 
rican or  French  march.  You  will  probably  fee  vouv 
friend  O'Hara,  who  is  a  prifoncr. 

We  expect  now  to  go  on  to  Charlefton,  to  invefl  that 
place.  The  moment  I  can  obtain  permiilion  to  leave 
the  army,  I  will  repair  to  your  hermitage,  and  fpend 
fome  time  witli  you,  when  I  promife  myfelf  much  fatif- 
faclion.  In  the  mean  while,  believe  me, 
Your  aflecliouate  and 

Unalterable  mend,  ' 

E.  EDWARDS. 


LETTERS  from  MAJOR  GENERAL  LEE. 


London,  December  ill,  1760', 


Most  Excellent  Sir,  and 
most  dear  Master, 


YOUR  Majefty  will  better  imagine  than  I  can  exprefs 
the  plealure  I  have  received  from  your  kind  and 
gracious  letter  :  the  aflurance  it  gives  me  of  your  good 
opinion  and  regard,  I  lhall  ever  confider  as  the  happieft, 
the  moft  honourable  circumftance  of  my  life.  They  make 
ample  amends  for  the  enmities  I  have  drawn  upon  myfelf 
from  certain  powerful  quarters  inmy  own  country,  where, 
perhaps,  from  fome  juit  judgment  of  God,  the  fame  qua- 
lities which  would  recommend  to  your  Majefty  are  high- 
ly obnoxious.  I  devoutly  wifli,  and  proudly  hope,  for 
my  own  honour,  that  I  may  ever  poiiels  a  place  in  the 

efteem 


(     i87     ) 

efteem  of  your  Majcfty,  aiid  remain  tlie  averGon  of  thofe 
who  fo  widely,  fo  totally,  differ  from  you. 

I  am  concerned  I  cannot  more  fully,and  in  a  more  fa- 
tisfaclory  manner,  anfwer  the  feveral  queftions  of  your 
Majcfty  on  the  ftate  of  our  country,  than  what  I  am  able 
to  do.  Of  fome  of  thefe  articles,  the  caufe,  though  ge- 
nerally treated  of,  appears  not  in  the  lealt  underftood  ; 
on  others,  opinions  are  fo  various  that  it  is  prclumption 
to  decide  ;  but  fome  are,  I  think,  obvious  to  every  man 
of  common  underftanding  ;  and  of  this  elafs  may  be  reck- 
oned Mr.  Pitt's  emitting  the  itage,  and  the  conduct  of 
the  American  colonics  towards  the  mother  country. — 
With  refpetl  to  the  firft,  it  is  manifeft,  from  a  thomand 
circumftances,  that  with  the  health  and  frame  of  this  ex- 
traordinary man,  the  underftanding  is  likewile  worn  out. 
Before  I  came  to  England,  I  did  not  lay  much  ftrefs  on 
thofe  parts  of  his  conduct:  which  the  newfpapers  have  fo 
worried  and  1  recollect:  your  Majefty  was  of  the  fame 
way  of  thinking,  that  there  was  nothing  very  monltrous 
in  his  acceptance  of  a  peerage,  but  that  it  might  be  im- 
prudent, and  argued  a  fenlelefl'ncfs  of  glory,  to  forfeit 
the  name  of  Pitt  for  any  title  the  king  could  bellow.  But 
finee  I  am  a  little  more  behind  the  fcenes,  and  am  made 
acquainted  with  leveral  circumftances  previous,  conco- 
mitant, and  fubfequent  to  this  event,  I  am  apt  to  agree 
w\th  the  majority  of  the  better  fort,  that  this  once  noble 
mind  is  quite  overthrown.  Can  it  be  reconciled  to  rea- 
fon,  that  the  fame  man  who  had  rendered  his  name  fo 
illuftrious  and  fo  tremendous  to  the  greateft  part  of  the 
globe,  fliould  fplit  upon  ribbons  and  titles ;  that  when 
he  had  arrived  at  a  higher  pinnacle  of  glory  than  ever 
citizen  did  fince  the  days  of  Eparuinoadas,  he  Ihouldbe 
captivated  by  fueh  a  bauble,  even  though  it  mould  be  at- 
tended with  no  ill  confequences  to  the  affairs  of  his  coun- 
try ?  but  when  fuch  terrible  ones  were  vifible,  it  mull  be 
conltrued  downright  madnefe.  Mr.  Pitt,  fay  they,  was 
the  only  man  who  had  capacity,  fpirit,  and  power  to  af- 
fert  die  honour  and  intereft  of  the  nation  with  foreign 
(lutes,  correct  the  abuies,  and  item  the  torrent  of  cor- 
ruption 


(     188     ) 

ruption  at  home.  His  power  was  not  founded  on  vaft 
property  or  cabinet  favour,  but  on  bis  popularity.  By 
linking  into  a  peerage,  his  popularity  would  vanifh  of 
courfe,  and  with  it  all  power  of  rendering  at  a  mod  cri- 
tical time,  any  farther  fervices  to  his  country.  If  it  is 
objected  that  it  is  poflible  to  accept  a  title  and  retain  the 
integrity  of  the  citizen,  they  allow  it  ;  but  that,  unfortu- 
nately, the  bulk  of  the  people  will  not  be  perfuaded  of 
it  ;  that  a  popular  miniller  mull,  therefore,  not  only  be 
flrictly  virtuous,  but,  like  Cxfar's  wife,  his  virtue  muft 
not  be  fulpe&ed  ;  that  this  perfuafion  of  the  people,  ri- 
diculous as  it  may  appear  at  firft  fight,  is  founded  on  too 
much  juilice  ;  for  they  obferve,  that  from  the  time  of 
Wentworth  down  to  that  of  Pulteny,  not  one  inftance 
can  be  produced  of  a  man's  changing  his  feat  from  the 
lower  to  the  upper  houfe,  without  a  thorough  renunciati- 
on of  all  principles  and  public  virtue  ;  but  whether  this 
opinion  is  well  or  ill  founded,  as  it  is  a  prevalent  one, 
this  revolt,  error,  folly,  or  madnefs,  of  fuch  a  man  has 
fome  direful  effects;  it  taints  with  jealoufy  ail  public 
affiance,  eftablifhes  a  doubt, whether  fuch  a  thing  as  pub- 
lic virtue  can  exift  :  in  fliorc,  it  makes  the  bulk  of  man- 
kind indifferent  who  are  in,  who  are  out,  as  they  are  al- 
moft  perfuaded  that  all  men  are,  or  will  prove,  in  the 
end,  equally  vain  apoftates  to  the  common  caufe,  either 
through  intereftednefs,  vanity,  or  madnefs. 

Such  are  the  arguments  not  only  made  ufe  of  by  the 
majority  of  Mr.  Pitt's  once  admirers,  but  they  were  ftart- 
ed  to  him  by  thofe  who  were  fuppofed  to  have  the  great- 
eft  weight  with  him.  Lord  Camden,  in  particular,  con- 
cluding this  refolution  to  be  a  fhort  fit  of  compliance, 
and  that  his  friend  would  foon  fee  the  danger  of  the 
meafure,  delayed  the  figning  of  the  patent  for  two  days. 
But  his  lord fhip  was  miftaken,  the  diforder  had  taken 
deeper  root  than  he  imagined  ;  no  girl  could  fhew  more 
impatience  for  a  new  toy,  than  this  firft  of  men  did,  till 
the  teftimony  of  his  folly  was  figned  and  fealed  to  the 
whole  world.  Your  Majefty  will  probably  object,  that 
though  Mr.  Pitt  played  the  child  in  one  article,  it  is  no 

proof 


(     i*9     ) 

proof  of  the  general  failure  of  his  underftanding  \  that  nd 
man  was  ever  bleffed  with  fo  intire  faculties,  as  not,  on 
fome  particular  occafion,  and  in  fome  unlucky  moment 
to  betray  weaknefs. 

But  this  is  not  the  cafe  with  Pitt,  the  decay  of  his 
parts  is  not  only  indicated  by  the  act  itfelf,  but  confirm* 
ed  by  his  conduct  in  public  and  private  character  :  In 
public  the  doctrines  he  broaches  are  diametrically  the 
reverfe  of  what  he  has,  through  the  whole  courle  of  his 
life,  affcrted  :  In  private  he  is  totally  metamorphofed  ; 
from  the  extreme  of  plainnefs  and  fimplicity,  he  is  all  pa- 
rade, magnificence  and  orientation.  But  I  might  have  fpa- 
red  your  Majefty  this  prolix  detail,  when  in  a  few  words 
it  would  have  fufliced  to  have  faid,  that  he  has  fits  of 
crying,  darting,  and  every  effect  of  hyfteric  ;  it  is  affirm- 
ed, indeed,  that  ten  years  ago,  he  was  in  the  very  fame 
condition,  that  therefore  a  pofhbility  of  his  recovering 
©nee  more  his  nerves,  and  with  them  all  his  functions  ; 
but  from  the  age  of  the  man,  the  generality  confider  the 
piece  as  finifhed  ;  the  honeft  and  well  withers  of  their 
country  lament  over  him,  the  corrupt  and  profligate  ring 
*Te  Deunty  as  the  Devil  probably  did  for  the  fall  of  man. 
Your  Majefty  aflcs  who  is  to  mount  the  ftage  in  his  room  ? 
I  am  fo  far  from  feeing  any  man  fo  qualified  in  all  points, 
as  to  fill  his  part  in  time  of  diffraction  and  confufion, 
that  1  know  no  fet  of  men  who  have  a  chance  of  being 
called  to  it,  who  will  not  by  ignorance,  obftinaney,  or  ti- 
midity, throw  thing6  into  ten  times  greater  confufion 
than  they  are  at  prefent.  My  Lord  Rockingham  is  in- 
deed an  honeft,  worthy,  and  fpirited  man,  and  poflefles 
the  good  opinion  of  the  people  in  {rcneral,  but  thefe  at- 
tributes will  probably  exclude  him.  The  Thane,  who  is 
ftill  all  powerful,  will  never  admit  of  a  man  fo  endowed. 
He  requires  a  certain  degree  of  fubfervieney  and  corrv- 
plaifance  ;  in  fhort,  he  requires  a  minifter  of  his  own 
jobs  and  partialities,  and  not  an  adminiftrator  of  the  na- 
tional affairs.  As  to  the  reft,  who  form  what  is  called 
the  oppofition,  they  are  fo  odious  or  contemptible,  that 
the  favourite    himfelf  is  preferable  to  them  ;  fuch   as 

Grenville, 


(     *9<>     ) 

Crenvllle,  Bedford,  Newcaftle  and  tlicir  aflbciates.  Tent*l 
pic  is  one  of  the  molt  ridiculous  order  of  coxcombs  I 
ever  heard  ot,  he  is  eternally  appealing  to  the  public, 
forgetting  that  the  public  never  conliderd  him  farther 
than  they  would  an  old  pair  of  boots,  which  Mr.  Pitt 
might,  through  a  whim,  have  let  a  value* upon,  which 
when  he  chofe  to  throw  afidej  it  mattered  not  if  they 
were  thrown  into  a  lumber  room  or  the  fire.  Nothing 
could  make  the  American  colonifts  caft  off  their  obedi- 
ence, or  even  refpect  to  their  mother  country,  but  fome 
attempt  on  the  eiTence  of  their  liberty  ;  fuch  undoubt- 
edly the  ftamp  a£t  was,  which,  if  it  had  remained  un- 
repealed, and  admitted  as  a  precedent,  they  would  have 
been  flaves  to  all  intents  and  purpofes,  as  their  whole 
property  would  lie  at  the  mercy  of  the  Crown's  minifter 
and  the  minifter's  minifter's,  the  Hdufe  of  Commons, 
who  would  find  no  end  to  the  neceflity  of  taxing  thefe 
people,  as  every  additional  tax  would  furnifh  the  mafter 
with  means  of  adding  to  their  refpeclive  wages  *,  but  it 
would  be  impertinent  in  me  to  enter  into  a  difcuflion  of 
the  propriety  or  impropriety,  the  juftice  or  injuftice,  of 
this  meafure,  when  it  is  fo  fully  and  clearly  treated  in 
fome  traits  which  are  bound  up  together,  and  which  I 
have  ordered  to  be  fent  to  your  Majefty.  If  the  humours 
which  thus  accurfed  attempt  has  raifed,  are  fuftered  to 
fubfide  the  inherent  affe&iort  which  the  colonies  have 
for  the  mother  country  and  clafhings  of  her  interefts  one 
amongft  another,  will  throw  every  thing  back  into  the 
old  channel ;  which  indeed  is  the  cafe  already :  but  if 
another  attack  of  the  fame  nature  fhould  be  made  upon 
them,  by  a  wicked  blundering  minifter,  I  will  venture 
to  prophecy,  that  this  country  will  be  fhaken  to  its  foun- 
dation in  its,  wealth,  credit*  naval  force,  and  interior  po- 
pulation. 


My  dear  Prince,  London,  Dec.  25th,  1766. 

YOU  will  do  me  great  injuftice  if  you  attribute  my 

Clence  for  fo  many  months  to  a  want  of  fenfe  of  your 

exceHive 


(   m  ) 

exceftive  goodnefs  and  friendfhip,  or  even  to  carelefTnefs, 
which,  conlidering  the  obligations  I  lie  under  to  your 
feighnefs,  would  be  one  and  the  fame  thing.  The  truth 
is,  that  I  was  unwilling  to  trouble  you  with  a  fulfome 
letter  of  acknowledgements,  as  I  hope  you  are  no  ftran- 
ger  to  my  fentiments,  on  the  fubjeti:  j  but  I  thought  a 
few  lines  which  would  give  you  a  fketch  of  the  (late  of 
|his  country,  of  the  parties,  and  of  our  profpedfc  in  rela- 
tion to  foreign  and  interior  affairs,  would  be  the  only 
poihblc  method  of  making  your  Highnefs  fome  return 
for  the  thoufand  inftancc&  of  friendfhip  which  I  have 
received  at  your  Lands  ;  but  the  moft  reafonable  fchemes 
are  frequently  defeated  :  fo  it  fares  with  me  •,  for  al- 
though I  have  been  in  London  eight  days,  which  in  this 
political  and  communicative  town  is  fufheient,  one  fliould 
think,  to  make  a  man  mailer  of  every  thing  neceffary  to 
be  known  ;  but  my  evil  liars  have  difappointed  me,  and 
your  evil  (larshave  dictated  to  me,  that,  notwithstanding 
the  infignificancy  of  all  I  have  to  fay,  it  would  be  a  pet- 
ty treafon  to  remain  any  longer  filent.  You  mud  there- 
fore accept  the  will  for  the  deed  ;  in  a  few  pofts  1  hope 
to  be  able  to  amufe  you  better.  The  King  and  his  mi- 
nillers  are  out  of  town,  or  more  properly,  I  fhould  have 
faid  the  minifters  and  their  King,  for  1  do  not  find  that 
the  latter  is  any  more  a  principal  than  when  I  left  Eng- 
land. Lord  Chatham  is  fuppoied  to  be  abfolute  in  all 
affairs  which  concern  the  Hate  ;  Bute  in  his  corner,  re- 
tains influence  to  a  fufheient  degree,  for  the  provifionof 
his  creatures  and  countrymen,  in  fubordinate  offices;  he 
difclaims  all  concern  with  buiinefs  ;  but  this  is  like  the 
reft  of  his  conduct,  a  moft  impudent  and  ineffectual  hy- 
pocrify  ;  for  he  is  as  ufual,  not  credited.  A  formida- 
ble oppofition  is  expected,  but  the  conjectures  on  its 
faccefs  are  too  vague  to  be  attended  to.  Some  men  of 
Weight  and  reputation  arc  embarked  in  it  ;  but  the  heads 
are  too  odious  to  the  nation  in  general  in  my  opinion,  to 
cany  their  point.  Such  as  Bedford,  Sandwich,  G.  Gren- 
villc,  and,  with  fubmifuon,  your  friend  Mansfield.  He 
lately  drew  upon  himfelf  the  laugh  of  the  Houie  of  Lords, 

making 


(    te*   ) 

making  *ufe  of  the  word  Liberty  of  the  Subject;  and 
cxprefling  great  regard  to  it,  it  was  called  Satan  preach- 
ing up  fancuty.  Conway  is  frill  fecretary  of  ft  ate,  and 
much  regarded  as  a  man  of  ability  and  integrity.  Lord 
Shelburne,  the  other  fecretary,  has  furpaffed  the  opinion 
of  the  world  j  he  fpeaks  well  and  is  very  diitin<£t  in  of- 
fice. The  Duke  of  Grafton  is  an  abfolute  orator,  and 
has  a  fair  character.  An  Irifhman,  one  Mr.  Burke,  is 
fprung  up  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  who  has  aftonifh- 
cd  every  body  with  the  power  of  his  eloquence,  his  com- 
prehensive knowledge  in  all  our  exterior  and  internal 
politics  and  commercial  interefts.  He  wants  nothing 
but  that  fort  of  dignity  annexed  to  rank,  and  property 
in  England,  to  make  him  the  moft  confulerable  man  in 
the  Lower  Houfe. 

A  difpute  with  Portugal,  on  fome  commerical  points, 
feems  at  prefent  chiefly  to  occupy  the  thoughts  of  the 
miniftry.  It  is  thought,  that  an  ambafllulor  extraordi- 
nary, with  an  efcort  of  ten  (hips  ox,  war,  which  is  the 
belt  ultima  rutioy  will  be  fent  to  Lifbon.  I  have  had 
fome  converfation  with  our  miniftry  on  the  affairs  of  Po- 
land ;  but  as  this  letter  goes  by  the  common  pc-it,  I  can- 
r.ot  fend  you  the  particulars.  The  character  of  his  Ma- 
jefty  is  high  in  their  efteem.  I  iritreat  your  Highnefs 
to  prefent  my  duty  to  him,  to  aiTure  him  of  my  zeal, 
veneration,  and  love  ;  in  a  few  days,  I  fhall  take  the  li- 
berty of  writing  to  him,  or  to  Mr.  Ogroudfki.  I  wait 
till  I  have  had  a  converfation  with  the  King.  Could 
your  Highnefs  procure  m*  a  copy  of  his  Majefty's  pic- 
ture, either  in  miniature,  or  or-herwMe  ?  I  afk  for  a  copy, 
as  I  would  not  prefume  to  trouble  him  to  fit.  You  would 
like  wife  make  me  very  happy  with  your  own.  I  was 
much  pleafed  with  an  acquaintance  with  Lavifa  at  the 
Hague.  His  warm  attachment  to  our  incomparable  mat- 
ter has  much  endeared  him  to  me.  We  have  fome  books 
publiihed  here  which  I  fancy  you  would  be  glad  to  have, 
particularly,  the  whole  letters  of  Swift.  They  are  the 
beft  hiftory  of  the  times,  and  read  with  great  avidity. 
When  the  Baltic  is  open,  I  (lull  fend  to   his  Maj<. 

confulerable 


(   m  ) 

tonfiderable  number,  as  he  has  clone  me  the  honour  to 
truft  to  my  judgment,  and  drawn  on  Mr.  Tipper  for  the 
colt. 

I  have  not  heard  from  our  friend  Lind ;  I  beg  you 
will  chide  him  for  this  abominable  neglect.  Wroughton 
too  deferves  abufe  ;  I  fhall  write  to  him  in  a  few  pofts. 
The  reafon  of  Lord  Thanet's  delay  in  regard  to  the  horle, 
was  delicacy.  He  could  not  rind  any  he  thought  good 
enough  •,  but  in  the  fpring  he  will  fend  a  couple,  which 
will,  in  all  refpe&s,  fuit  his  Majefty. 

I  entreat  you,  my  dear  prince,  to  pay  my  humble  ref- 
pe£ls  to  your  father,  mother,  the  prince,  chancellor,  and 
all  your  houfe,  to  which  I  have  fo  great  obligations,  and 
for  which  I  have  a  fincere  love  and  honour,  and  that  you 
will  (leal  a  few  moments  to  give  me  under  your  hand 
what  I  am  already  convinced  of,  that  I  poflefs  fome  fhare 
of  your  love  and  friendihip. 

I  am,  with  the  molt  refpectful  fentimertts* 
My  dear  Prince, 

Ever  yours. 

CHARLES  LEE; 


My  Dear  Coleman,  Warfaw,  May  ift,  1767. 

YOU  mull  undoubtedly  think  me  a  very  extraordi- 
nary perfon,  that,  on  a  (tender  acquaintance,  I  mould 
have  (addled  you  with  the  euration  of  my  affairs,  and  af- 
terwards not  think,  it  worth  my  while  to  write  you  even 
a  civil  note,  fuch  as  a  common  acquaintance,  who  had 
Conferred  no  obligation,  might  have  expected.  The  truth 
is,  I  have  every  day  expected  to  be  a  fee  mined  of  my 
deftiny,  and  then  intended  to  have  given  you  a  circum- 
ftantial  plan  of  my  operations ;  but  as  this  day  is  as  re- 
mote, in  all  appearance,  as  ever,  I  fhould  be  guilty  of  a 
monitrous  negle£t,  in  any  farther  delaying,  to  pay  the 
tribute  of  friendihip  which  1  fo  fenfibly  owe.  Believe 
me,  my  dear  Sir,  that  I  mod  firicerely  love  and  honour 
you  ;  and  this  love  and  honour  is  founded  on  fo  folifl  a 

S  batfe^ 


! 


(     J94     ) 

bafis,  that  I  have  dared  to  neglect  a  form  which  would 
not  be  pardoned  by  a  perfon  who  is  not  really  an  object 
of  cfteem. 

I  have  been  in  this  place  two  months  waiting  for  an 
opportunity  to  join  the  Ruffian  army,  and  I  am  afraid  I 
/hall  be  obliged  to  wait  a  month  longer.  The  comma 
nications  are  fo  filled  with  the  offals  of  the  confederates, 
who  are  themfelves  a  banditti,  that  jt  is  impoffible  to  ftir 
ten  yards  without  an  efcort  of  Ruffians  :  the  Englifh  are 
]efs  fecure  than  others,  as  they  are  efteemed  the  arch- 
enemies of  the  holy  faith,  A  French  comedian  was  the 
other  day  near  being  hanged  from  the  circumftance  of 
his  wearing  a  bob  wigj  which,  by  the  confederates,  is 
fuppofed  to  be  the  uniform  of  the  Englifh  nation,  I  wifh 
to  God  the  three  branches  of  our  legiflature  would  take 
It  into  their  heads  to  travel  through  the  woods  of  Poland 
in  bob-wigs. 

The  firlt  opportunity  that  will  offer  will  be  the  prefent 
nmbafTador,  who,  it  is  faid,  will  now  be  fucceeded  in  ten 
days  ;  but  this  has  been  fo  long  faid,  that  I  begin  to  def- 
pair  of  any  opportunity  at  all ;  if  none  fhould  offer,  I 
"have  made  a  wife  journey  of  it :  I  believe  it  would  break 
my  heart.    I  have  an  unfpeakable  curiofity  of  feeing  this 
campaign,  though,  in  fact,  I  believe  it  will  be  a  ridicu- 
lous one  \  if  not  like  that  of  Harlequin  and  Scapin,  it  will 
j-efemble  the  battle  of  Wilks  and  Talbot.    The  Ruffians 
can  gain  nothing  by  beating  their  enemy,  and  the  Turks 
are  confoundedly  afraid.     I  wifh  by  practice,  to  make 
myfelf  a  foldier  for  purpofes  honeft,  but  which  I  fhall 
not  mention.  If  I  am  defeated  in  my  intention  of  join- 
ing the  Ruffians,  I  think  of  palling  through  Hungary, 
and  fpeuding  the  enfuing  winter  in  the  fouth  of  Italy, 
Sicily,  or  fome  of  the  iftands  in  the  iEgean  fea.    As  you 
are  a  fcholar  I  venture  to  talk  this  cant.     As  to  England, 
I  am  refolved  not  to  fet  my  foot  in  it,  till  the  virtue  which 
I  believe  to  exift  in  tlje  body  of  the  people  can  be  put 
into,  motion.     I  have  good  reafons  for  it.    My  fpirits  and 
temper  were  much  affected  by  the  meafurcs  which  I  was 
i^knefs  of,  measures  abfolutely  moderate,  laudable  and 

virtuou3, 


{   m   ) 

virtuous,  in  comparifon  of  what  has  been  tranfacted  fmce. 
To  return  folemn  thanks  to  the  Crown  for  the  manifeft- 
ly  corrupt  diflipation  of  its  enormous  revenues  and  im- 
pudent demand  on  the  people  ;  to  repair  this  diilipation, 
to  compleat  their  own  ruin,  is  pufhing  fervility  farther 
than  the  rafeally  feuate  of  Tiberias  was  guilty  of.  In 
this  light  it  is  confidered  by  all  thofe  I  convene  with,  of 
every  nation,  even  thofe  who  have  the  lead  idea  of  liber- 
ty. The  Auftrians  and  Ruffians  hoot  at  us.  In  fine, 
ir  is  looked  upon  as  the  ultimatum  of  human  bafeneft,  a 
coup  de  grace  to  our  freedom  and  national  honour. 

You  will  fay,  it  is  being  a  plcafant  correfpondent, 
giving  you  rhy  comments  on  what  parties  under  your  own 
eyes,  and  being  entirely  filcnt  on  the  tranfadtions  of  this 
country,  which  you  may  be  fuppoled  to  have  fome  eu- 
riofity  of  being  acquainted  with.  You  will  not  think 
me  ferious  when  I  afiure  you,  that  I  am  as  totally  a  ftran- 
gtr  to  them  as  yourfelf  or  any  man  in  England.  Hum- 
phrey Gates,  I  am  fure,  muft  know  fifty  times  rhov 
the  matter.  I  fee  that  the  country  is  in  one  general  ftate 
of  confufion,  filled  with  devaluation  and  murder.  I  hear 
every  day  of  the  Ruffians  beating  the  Confederates  j  but 
as  to  what  the  Ruffians,  what  the  Confederate:,  what 
the  body  of  the  nation  propofe,  I  am  utterly  ignorant, 
though  no  more,  I  believe,  than  they  are  themfclves. 
The  method  of  carrying  on  the  war  is  equally  gelftrie 
with  what  our's  was  in  North-America  ;  the  Confede- 
rates hang  up  all  the  Ruffians  who  fall  into  their  hands, 
and  the  Ruffians  put  to  the  fword  the  Confederates. 
Ruffian  CofTa.cks  have  an  admirable  fang  f-ohi'm  { 
executions.  The  other  day,  at  a  place  called  K  ava,  f<  r- 
ty  or  fifty  Confederates  were  condemned  to  the  bayonet ; 
but  as  they  were  tolerably  drefled,  they  were  obliged  to 
ftrip  for  the  ceremony,  the  CotTacks  chuf.ng  not  to  make 

any  holes  in  their  cloaths.     The  fituation  of  the  K >• 

is  really  to  be  lamented,  notwithstanding  he  wears  a 
crown.  He  is  an  honeft,  virtuous  man,  and  a  friend  to 
the  rights  of  mankind.  I  wilh  he  could  perfuade  a  prince, 
of  my  acquaintance,  who  is  taught  (as  far  as  he  can  be 

taught 


(  10  ) 

taught  any  tiling)  to  hate  them,  to  exchange  with  hiraJ 
I  know  a  nation  that  could  fpare  a  whole  family,  mother, 
und  all  to  the  Poles,  and  only  take  in  exchange  this  one 
man.  I  could  fay  many  things  on  this  fubje£t,  digna 
Uteris  nojlrisyfed  ncn  committenda  cjns-modi  periculoy  ut  ant 
interire,  ant  aperiri,  ant  inter dpi  pejjint. 

1  hope  your  kindnefs  has  not  entailed  any  trouble  up- 
on vou  with  refpect  to  my  affairs.  1  hope  Mr.  Ayre  has 
been  punctual  in  his  payment.  I  wrote  to  him  from 
London,  acquainting  him  with  your  powers.  If  you 
lhall  pafsby  Mr.  Hoares,  I  beg  you  will  tell  him,  that  I 
wrote  to  him  from  Munich,  requefting  him  to  fend  me, 
if  poffible,  a  letter  of  credit  to  Warfa-.v,  and  to  give  credit 
to  a  Captain  William  Spey,  for  furveying  my  land  in 
St.  John's.  How  does  the  hallowed  Juliet  ?  It  is  in- 
conceivable how  deeply  I  am  interefted  for  the  fuccefs 
and  welfare  of  that  girl.  If  (he  does  not  fucceed,  let  her 
marry  me,  and  fettle  in  America.  My  refpe&s  to  Mrs. 
Coleman,  and  that, 

I  am,  moft  fincerely, 

Dear  Coleman, 
With  the  warmeft  affection,  &c. 

C.  LEE. 

P.  S.  My  love  to  Rice,  that  when  he  can  find  time 
and  matter  I  wifli  he  would  write.  What  will  give  me 
the  greateft  pleafure  is  to  hear  of  his  being  married  to 
the  widow  Wales,  or  to  any  good  party.  He  is  the  on- 
ly fine  gentleman  I  ever  loved.  Direct  to  me  Chez  le 
Prince  General  de  Podo/ia,  Varfovia.  Let  your  letters 
be  as  long  as  poffible,  and  let  them  have  in  them  as  much 
of  Juliet  as  poffible. 


Dear  Madam,  Warfaw,  May  2d,  1767. 

I  SHOULD  write  to  you  with  more  eafe  and  pleafure, 
had  you  not  given  me  to  underftand  that  you  looked  up- 
on me  as  an  able  letter-writer.  The  ambhion  of  coming, 

up 


(i97     ) 

up  to  your  expectations  lays  me  under  a  constraint  which 
will  inevitably  make  me  fall  {hort  of  every  correfpondent. 
To  render  myfelf  tolerable,  I  mult  endeavour  to  forget 
your  fex,  your  beauty  ;  but,  above  all,  the  high  opinion 
which  you  are  plealed  to  conceive  of  my  talents  in  this 
article.     That  I  may  not  run  into  compliment,  that  I 
may  diveSt  myfelf  of  awe  and  vanity  :  the  fir  ft  you  would 
defpife  as  fulfome,   and  the  fecond  and  lalt  would  be 
productive  of  referve  and  petulance. 

Your  understanding  and  the  care  you  have  taken  to 
cultivate  it,  cuts  me  off  from  fome  of  the  molt  fruitful 
fubjects  to  female  correfpondents ;  the  drefs,  intrigues, 
and  diverfions  of  the  women  in  the  feveral  places  we  pals 
through  :  but,   on  the   other  hand,  it  affords  me  ample; 
liberty  of  pouring  out   my  mind  upon   fubjects  which, 
unfortunately  for  my  own  eafe,  engrofs  it  entirely  ;  the 
dreadful  fituation  of  all  the  honeft  part  of  mankind,  and 
particularly  of  our  own  country.     How  miierably  fallen 
flie  is  in  the  eyes  of  every  State  !  How  funk  are  we  (in  a 
few  months  I  may  fay)  from  the  fummit  of  glory,  opu- 
lence, and  Strength,  to  the  lowelt  degree  of  poverty,  imbe- 
cility, and  contempt.  Europe  is  aitoiiiShed  at  the  rapidity 
of  the  change  ;  high  and  low,  men  of  every  order,  from 
the  ministers  of  State  to  the  political  barbers,  make  it  the 
fubject  of   their  admiration.     How  cm   it  happen,  fay 
they,  that  Great  Britain,  fo  lately  the  miltrefs  of  the  globe, 
with  America  in  one  hand,  Afia  and  Africa  in  another, 
inStead  of  the  glorious  tafk  or  giving  laws  and  peace  to 
nations,  protecting  the  weak  and  injured,  checking  the 
powerful  and  oppreilive,  Should  employ  her  time  in  tramp- 
ling on  the  rights  of  her  dependencies,  and  violating  her 
own  facred  laws,  on  which  her  fuperiority  over  her  neigh- 
bours is  founded  ?     It  was  fome  confolation,  fay  they, 
for  the  generous  Sew  of   the  Romans  who  furvived  the 
liberties  of  their  country,  that  it  was  a  Julius  Cjefar,  a 
man  with  more  than  mortal  talents,  who  was  their  fub- 
verter  :  and  the  patriots  of  England  had  fome  mitigation 
for  their  fpleen,  that  it  was  a  Cromwell  who  had  over- 
reached them  ;  but  that  *•••*•**••••••*••• 

S  2  ihouM 


(     198     ) 

{hould  be  able  to  encompafs  the  enflaving  of  a  fpirited  na- 
tion, whofe  every  law  feems  dictated  by  Liberty  herfelf, 
is  too  much  to  bear.  They  compare  the  noble  remon- 
ftrances  of  the  French  parliaments  againft  the  oppreffions 
of  their  court,  with  the  flavifh  addreffes  of  ours.  I  mud 
confefs,  that  infkead  of  fending  for  cooks  and  hair-dreflers 
from  that  country,  I  have  long  wifhed  that  we  were  to 
fupply  ourfelves  with  members  of  Parliament.  What  it 
will  come  to,  I  know  not,  but  it  is  time  fomething  mould 
be  done,  and  I  flatter  myfelf  it  will :  there  is  much  fpirit 
in  the  body  of  the  people  •,  but  I  will  endeavour  to  quit 
this  fubject  •,  it  makes  me  mad. 

This  country  is  the  reverfe  of  ours  ;  they  have  an  ho- 
neit,  patriot  k g,  but  a  vicious  nation.  If  God  de- 
lights in  feeing  a  virtuous  man  (as  Seneca  fuppofes  he 
does)  ftruggling  with  adverfities,  he  has  a  charming 
fpectacle  in  the  king  of  Poland  r  and  I  hope  God  will  in 
the  end,  recompence  the  inftrument  of  his  pleafure,  by 
extricating  him  out  of  his  diftreffes  ;  nothing  elfe  can, 
I  am  fure.  You  mult  excufe  me  entering  into  a  detail 
of  thefe  difficulties,  as  this  letter  may  pofTibly  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  Confederates,  and  be  publifhed  to  the  nation, 
as  feveral  others,  full  as  infignificant,  have  already  been, 
to  the  no  fmall  detriment  of  this  good  man's  affairs.  I 
fhall  referve  them  for  fome  future  letter,  or  our  evenings 
chat  in  Queen  Anne  Street,  or  Langham. 

Our  ftation  here,  I  mean  thofe  who  are  about  the  king's 
perfon,  is  whimfical  enough.  We  have  few  troops, 
the  bulk  of  thefe  totally  difaffected,  and  the  town  is  full 
of  (though  not  declared,  far  from  being  concealed)  Con- 
federates. We  have  frequent  alarms,  and  the  pleafure 
of  ileeping  every  night  with  our  piftols  on  our  pillows.  X 
at  prel'ent  only  wait  for  an  opportunity  to  join  the  Ruffian 
army  :  this  does  not  offer  every  day,  as  a  ftrong  efcort  is 
neceffary,  the  communications  being  filled  with  bandit- 
ties  of  robbers,  who  are  the  offals  of  the  Confederates.  I 
believe  it  will  be  but  a  us  campaign)  fomething 

j:k.  .;,..<  ,,c  v"'l.s  and  Talbot.     The  Ruffians  can  gain 

.  .Us  Turks  are  con- 
i  afraid.  I  have 


C    199    ) 

I  have  heard  of  Lady  S h's  flight.     I  cannot  fay  I 

ever  liked  the  match.     It  is  impoffible  to  have  the  lead 
connection  with  Fox,  either  of  a  political  or  a  private  na- 
ture, without  fmarting  for  it :  every  thing  he   touches 
becomes  putrid  and  proftitute.     I  hope  your  brother  will 
have  the  grace  to  break  this  accurfed  connection,   which 
has  diverted  fuch  excellent  parts  from  their  true  ufe,  blaft- 
ed  all  the  hopes  which  his  real  friends  and  his  country 
had  a  right  to  entertain  of  him  ;  that  he  will  fee,  in  its 
proper  colours,  the  odioufnefs  of  dependency  and  vena- 
lit^,  particularly  in  a  man  of  fortune;  and  that  he  may, 
bv  his  future  conduct,  make  an   ample  recompence  to 
the  opulent  country  which  has  chofen  him   for  their  hi- 
therto difappointment.     I  am   convinced  you   will  not 
think  what  I  am   faying  as  too  great  a  liberty  with  your 
brother  ;  I   am  convinced  your  fentiments  correfpond 
with  mine  ;  if  I  thought  they  did  not,  I  folemly  declare, 
were  vour  beauty  and  underftanding  greater  than  they  are, 
I  wouid  not  write  to  you.  I  have  no  doubt  of  Mr.  Blake's 
doing  his  durv.     He   is  not   only  well  difpofed  himfelf, 
but  in  the  hands  of  one   who   might  tranform  a   Macca- 
roni  into  a  Cato.     He  mull  be  the  devil  himfelf,  whom  a 
young,  beautiful,  Englilh  woman,   with  the   fentiments 
of  a  Spartan  matron,  cannot  lead  into  the  way  of  political 
righteoufnefs.     If  women  in  general  are  like  you,   men 
could  not  poffibly  be  fuch  rafcals.     I  have  long  lamented 
the  accurfed  prevailing  notion, that  women  ought  tohavc 
defective  educations.     It  was  the  rsoft   cunning  fiend  in 
hell  who  firft  broached  this  doctrine  ;  which  had  it  not 
prevailed,  the  better  part  of  the   globe  would  not  have 
groaned  in  the  wretched  ftate  of  flavery  we  at  prefent  fee 
it.     For  God's  fake,  Madam,  have  as  many  daughters  as 
pofliblc,  and  make  them  as  much  like  yourfelf  as  poflible, 
and  fome  descendant  of  Catharine  M'Cauley  may  attri- 
bute the  falvation  of  the  ftate  to  your  progeny. 

I  am,  dear  Madam,  with  the  higeir.  efteem, 
Yours,  &c. 

CHARLES  LEE. 
Mrs.  M'Cauley. 

Dear 


(      200      ) 

Dear  Lol-isa,  Warl'aw,  May  4th,  1767. 

WHEN  you  firfl;  requefted  me  to  give  you  leflbns  in 
Englifh,  I  elteemed  myfelf  happy  to  demonftrate  my  gra- 
titude to  Madam  Kreithin  for  her  fingular  kiucinefs  to 
me.  I  have  been  fo  ufed  to  converfe  with  myfelf  and  a 
few  favourite  books,  that  I  never  found  it  neceffary  to 
attend  the  toilets  of  women,  merely  as  the  generality  do, 
to  fly  from  themfelves,  and  kill  the  time  which  they  have 
no  other  means  of  employing.  This  was  my  original 
motive,  but  on  one  or  two  converfations  with  my  fcho- 
lar  I  entertained  a  fort  of  ambition  of  adding  fomething 
to  the  means  of  enlightening  fo  excellent  an  underftand- 
ing  as  I  perceived  her  to  be  poffefled  of.  A  little  know- 
ledge of  the  Englifh  language  I  conceived  to  be  one  of 
the  means,  as  it  abounds  with  fo  many  excellent  and  in- 
ftru&ing  books.  For  a  few  days  my  views  were  confi- 
ned to  this  ;  but,  O  Louifa  !  you  ought,  you  muff,  have 
feen  this  ambition  giving  place  to  another  lefs  tranquil 
fentiment.  Why  did  not  you  check  it  in  its  birth,  by 
affecting  to  find  difficulties  in  the  taflc  you  had  under- 
taken ?  Why  did  you  not,  on  fome  fuch  humane  pre- 
text, remove  me  from  your  fide  before  -the  flame  had 
acquired  fuch  inextinguifhable  fiercenefs  ?  This  you 
fliould  in  charity  have  done,  as  you  was  determined  to 
treat  me  as  an  enemy  the  moment  T  declared  I  loved. 
Your  refentment  at  my  pretending  to  more  than  com- 
mon friendfhip,  is  futile  and  vain,  or,  what  is  worfe,  hy- 
pocritical and  deceitful.  You  know  your  own  charms, 
your  own  power  too  well.  You  have  proved  them  with 
an  unhappy  fuccefs  on  feveral,  not  to  be  confcious  that 
it  is  impoffible  to  fee  you  often,  and  to  hear  your  voice, 
without  being  forced  beyond  the  bounds  of  friendfhip. 
But,  to  fpeak  proudly,  I  do  not  fee  why  the  declaration 
ofmypaflion  fliould  fo  henioufly  offend  you.  To  in- 
fpire  you  with  an  equal  pafnon  for  an  object  deflitute  of 
any  kind  of  charm,  would  be  rediculous  prefumption : 
and  were  I  furnifhed  with  every  charm  that  could  capti- 
vate womankind,  to  entertain  any  hopes  which  might 
affect  your  happinefs  or  reputation  would  be  the  higheft 

villany ; 


(      201      ) 

viHany  ;  but  as  I  am  born  cf  a   reputable  family,  I  hop£ 
my  character  is  rather  a  fair  one  ;  and  as  my  fortune  is 
fufficiently  ample  to  make  an  honeft  man  independent 
and  an  honeft  woman  content,  I  cannot  fee  the  mighty 
crime   in  wiihing  to  unite  your  fortune  with  mine.     I 
.had  flattered  myfelf,  that  time  and  an  unwearied  attenti- 
on to  pleafe,  would  have  fupplied  in  me  what  yeu  might 
find  amifs  in  my  perfon  or  the  arts  of  converfation. 
I  am,  dear  Louifa,  with  much  efteem, 
Yours,  &c. 

CHARLES  LEE, 
To  Louifa  C    .■.  ■  . 


My  Dear  Lord,  Wa-faw,  May  4th,  1767. 

I  WROTE  a  fort  of  fcrap  of  a  note  to  you  by  the 
hands  of  Fawkner,  and  nattered  myfelf  that  I  fhould  have 
found  at  this  place  a  fcrap  in  return.  I  know  your  indo- 
lence too  well,  to  expect  a  letter  of  a  meet  of  paper,  and 
do  not  expect  it  ;  but  if  you  know  how  much  pleafure 
a  fcrap' figned  by  your  hand,  certifying  your  health*  wel- 
fare, and  good  fpirits,  affords  me,  I  am  confident  you 
would  from  time  to  time  muiler  up  refolution  to  write 
me  a  few  lines,  threeowill  be  fulEcient,  which  I  infift  on, 
as  a  tribute  due  to  friendfhip,  which  on  my  fide  I  can  af- 
firm to  be  as  pure  and  genuine  as  the  fpawn  of  fuch  a  raf- 
cally  planet  as  this  is  capable  of  ;  and  I  have  the  flrongeft 
reafon  to  think  it  is  not  lefs  fo  on  yours.  I  muft  therefore 
repeat  it,  that  I  expect  a  tribute  of  this  fort  every  fifth 
or  fixth  poft.  I  have  been  in  this  happy  capital  five 
weeks,  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  join  the  Ruffian  ar* 
my,  which  does  not  orYer  every  day,  for  the  communica- 
tions arc  filled  by  a  fet  of  gentlemen  who  are  called  Con- 
federates, but  why  or  wherefore  they  are  pleafed  to  ftyle 
themfelves  Confederates,  I  cannot  find  out.  They  give 
no  reafons,  they  propofe  no  plan,  but  they  rob,  ftrip, 
and  generally  murder  every  body  who  fall  into  their 
hands. 

You 


(.      202      ) 

You  u fed  to  dine  formerly  with  very  knowing,  wir; 
politicians,  fnch  as  Hanfa,  Stanly  and  others,  who  are 
acquainted  with  all  the  fchemes  of  all  the  nations,  and 
all  the  individuals  in  Europe  j  I  would  requeft  you  to 
give  me  fome  hints  of  what  theie  worthies  intend  :  YoU 
will  fearcely  believe  me  ferious,  but  I  do  allure  you,  that 
I  knew,  before  I  left  London,  the  ftate  of  this  country 
full  as  well,  if  not  better  than  I  do  here  on  the  fpot*  If 
Gates  is  in  the  way,  you  will  much  oblige-  me,  in  pro- 
curing his  opinion.  I  have  greater  reafon  every  day  to 
congratulate  my  prudence  in  having  left  England  }  I  am 
perfuaded,  had  I  ftayed,  I  fhould  have  brought  myfelf 
into  fome  curfed  fcrape  ;  even  here,at  fo  great  a  diftance, 
I  am  thrown  into  ftrange  agitations  of  pa^Tions  on  the 
fight  of  every  newfpaper.  Heavenly  God  !  is  it  pofliblc 
"we  fhould  be  fo  far  funk  ?  to  return  folemn  thanks 
for  a  manifeftly  corrupt  di-ffipation  of  fuch  enormous 
revenues,  and  an  impudent  demand  on  the  public  to 
repair  this  diffipation,  is  puflving  fervility  to  its  ultima- 
tum. Thofe  nations  who  have  the  leaft  idea  of  liberty, 
as  the  Auftrians  and  Ruffians,  laugh  and  hoot  at  us ; — 
compare,  fay  they,  the  remonftrances  of  the  French  par- 
liaments with  the  addrefies  of  your9,  and  then  dare  to 
pride  yourfelves  in  the  fuperiority  of  Britifh  fpirit  over 
their  neighbours.  It  is  impoilible  fo  make  the  leaft  re- 
ply to  thefe  charges — I  choak  with  grief  and  indignation. 
"When  I  attempt  to  aflure  them  that  the  body  of  the  na- 
tion is  ftill  untainted,  that  they  have  flill  fentiments  of 
freedom  ;  they  anfwer,  that  fuch  fentiments  are  of  little 
confequence,  when  courage  is  wanting  to  put  them  in 
motion.  Is  not  every  of  your  moil  boafted  laws  trampled 
upon,  or  eluded  ?  Is  not  perjury,  defolation,  and  murder, 
encouraged  and  rewarded  with  the  national  money  ? 
-Are  not  your  magiftrates,  from  the  fole  merit  of  being 
declared  enemies  of  the  law,  become  factious  partizans? 
Is  not  the  choice  of  your  people  in  their  reprefentatives, 
treated  with  contempt  and  annulled  ?  Are  not  your  citi- 
zens rnafiacred  in  the  public  ftreets,  and  in  the  arms  of 
their  houfhold  gods,  by  the  military,  and  the  military 

thanked 


<     *°3     > 

thanked  for  their  friendlikt  alertnefs  ?  If  thefe  things  are 
borne  with  by  a  people,  who  poflefs  fentiments  of  liberty, 
we  have  loft  the  meaning  of  words.  Such,  my  dear 
Lord,  is  the  language  of  thefe  people,  and  it  is  fortunate 
'/or  me,  that  they  are  ignorant  of  the  ftate  of  our  Ame- 
rican politics.  They  can  have  no  idea  of  our  carrying 
our  abominations  fo  far,  as  to  disfranchife  three  millions 
of  people  of  all  the  rights  of  men,  for  the  gratification 
of  the  revenge  of  a  blundering  knavifh  Secretary,  and  a 
'fcoundrel  Attorney-General,  a  Hillfborough,  and  a  Bar- 
nard. Were  they  informed  of  thefe  fads,  their  opinion 
of  us  would  be  itill  more  mortifying.  I  had  the  other 
day  a  converfation  with  the  gentleman  to  whom  you 
gave  the  horfe  j  he  laments  with  great  energy,  the  weak 
and  wicked  conduct  of  our  adminiftration,  not  only  on 
our  own  account,  but  on  that  of  all  Europe.  He  lays, 
did  they  barely  poflefs  common  (cniCj  and  common  ho- 
nefty,  Great  Britain  muft  have  been  the  Emprefs  of  the 
world  ;  that  (he  might  have  kept  on  the  muzzles  of  the 
dogs  of  war,  which  muft  now  inevitably  be  flipped  oif, 
to  the  devaluation  of  the  greater  part  of  the  globe.  He 
defues  his  refpecls  to  you,  and  thanks  you  again  and 
again  for  the  horfe,  which  turns  out  nobly.  I  beg  my 
compliments  to  Lady  Thanet,  and  was  in  hopes  to  have 
heard  that  fhe  had  before  this,  produced  you  a  fon. — 
Adieu,  my  dear  Lord,  and  write  foon  a  few  lines  to  one 
who  lincerely  loves  you, 

C.  LEE. 
Lord  Thanet. 


Most  Gracious  Sir,  Kaminec,  Auguft  16th,  1767. 

AS  an  exprefs  is  this  evening  difpatched  by  the  gorer- 
I  nor,  I  take  the  liberty  of  addrefling  this  fcribble  to  your 
1  M ajefty.     As  it  is  in  Englifh,  I  am  in  hopes  no  bad  con- 
fluences can  arife,  if  it  falls  into  the  hands  of  the  Con- 
federates. Your  Majefty  will  have  heard  of  our  retreat — 
3  thoufand  reafons  will  undoubtedly  be  given,  3nd  pro- 

-tmbly 


(      204      ) 


,; 


bably  not  one  founded  in  juflice^;  I  mutt.,  it  is  my  dut 
to  fpeak  freely  to  your  Majefty.     The  operations   have 
been  miferably  concluded  •,  they  opened  with  a  capital 
«lefe& — without  a   certainty  of  the  ftate  of    the  place, 
(Chotzim)   they  were  deftined  to  attack  it  ;  they   with 
infinite  fatigue  and  expence  marched  to  the  certain  (ill 
idea,)  reduction  of  it,  without  the  poflible  means  of  re- 
ducing it.     Chotzim  is  perhaps  as  fecure  from  aflault   as 
any  fortrefs  in  the  univerfe  ;  but  muft  inevitably  be  taken, 
when  attacked  with  the  necelfary  quantity  of  battering 
artillery,  in  forty  hours.     The  hopes  of  reducing  it  with 
our  pop-guns  foon  appeared  vain  ;  it  was  then  feem- 
ingly  determined   to  blockade  it,  but  the  line  of  block- 
ade was  either  broken  in  part,  or  totally  taken  away  on 
every  alarm.     When  the  blockade  was  formed,  the  grand 
Vizier  was  expecled  with  an  hundred  and  fifty  thoufand 
men.     If  that  number  was  formidable,  they  ought  not 
to  have  formed  the  blockade,  but  retired  at  once    over 
the  Neifter,  without  haraffmg,  for  no  purpofe,  their  men 
and  their  horfes.     If  it  was  not  formidable,  they  ought 
to  have  perfifted  in  the  blockade.     In  facl,  the  Rufiian 
army,  I  mean  the  infantry,  brave  as  it  is,  was  not   fuf- 
ficient  in  number  to  form  a  line  compleat  of  circumval- 
lation,  againft  fo  numerous  an  enemy;  but  neither  the 
marching  without  battering  cannon,  the  blockading  the 
place  without  a  resolution  to  perfift  in  it,  nor  any  blun- 
der committed,  are  fo  liable  to  cenfure,   as  the  neglect 
to  attack  them  in  their  camp.     If  fuccefs  in  war  can  be 
aflured,  ours  was  certainly  fo. 

I  am  with  the  highelt  refpec"t  and  attachment, 
Your  Majefly's  moll  obedient  and 
humble  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To . 


My  dear  Davers,  Dijon,  Jan<  19th.  1768, 

THOUGH  I  have  been  a   long  time  in   anfwering 

your  letter^  1  beg  you  will  not  conclude,  that  the  pleafure 

I  received 


(     **S     ) 

f received  from  it,  is  but  fmall.     BeKeve  me,  trial  ever/ 
fxefh  aflurance  of  your  friendihip   gives  me  unfpeakable 
Iatisfa£tion,  though  I  have  no  peed  of  frefh  aflurances  to 
be  convinced  of  it.     The  longer  1  live,  my  love  for  you 
acquires  greater  force,  perhaps  from  a  cynical  difpofition, 
in  comparing  you  with   other  men.     I  have   long  been 
acquainted  with  your  private  virtues,   and  my  opinon  of 
your  political  virtues  is  now  confirmed.  I  am  onfy  con-* 
cerned  at  your  having  thoughts  of  quitting  parliament.  I 
know  your  reafons,  but  cannot  approve  of  them.     You 
pink,  that  as  you  are  not  a  fpeaker,  as  you  have  no  turn 
for  bufinefs,  your  attendance  will  little  avail ;  that  it  can- 
not contribute  to  ftem  the  torrent  of  corruption  and  vil- 
lany  which,  at  prefent,  bear?  down  every  thing  before  it. 
It  is  this  indolent  or  defpairing  method  of  reafoning,  of 
many  honeft  men,  for  I  cannot  help  being  pur fuaded, that 
there  are  fill!  many  honclt  men,  that  have  reduced  us  to 
this  terrible  fituatipn.     You  know  that  the  God   of  the 
Jews,who  (hould  have  been  a  judge  of  Jewiih  aft"airs,as  he 
interfered  in   them  (o  much,   was   of  opinion   that  five 
righteous  men  were  futricient  to  fave  the  rotten  ftate  of 
Oomorrah  \  and  I  do  not  find  that  he  meant  thev  flioiftd 
be  all  fpeakers.     Befides,  the  mafs  of  the  people  of  Go-* 
morrah  was  all  polluted,  but  the  mafs  of  the  En^lilh  peo- 
ple certainly  is  not.      I  believe  no  people  was  ever  pof- 
fefled  of  more  public  virtue,  which  is  maniftft  from  all 
their  proceedings.      1  beg,  my  dear  friend,  you  will  nut  i;i 
defpair  quit  the  deck  and  get  under  hatches^—  work  at  the 
pump— hand  a  rope,  doing  any  thing  with  good  w',11  and 
hrmnefs— encourage  others  to  do  the  fame,  and  with  J'<» 
thtripid  a  pilot,  as  Sir  George  Savilie,  the  v<  nel  may  per- 
haps work  into   harbour,  notwithftanding  the  abomina- 
ble tre.ifon  of  the  major  part  of  the  crew. 

I  am  vours,  &c. 

Sir  C;  Divers* 


My 


(      2C(5     ")    * 
Ml  Lord,  Philadelphia,  October  29thx    1774, 

THE  noble  part  your  Lordfhip  has  adled  in  oppofmg 
all  the  diabolical  meafures  of  our  accurfed  mifru/ers,  has 
encouraged  me  to  addrefs  thefe  few  lines  to  you.  Men 
who  are  embarked  in  the  glorious  caufe  of  liberty  fhould 
wave  all  ceremony.  I  {hall,  therefore,  neither  trouble 
you  nor  mylelf  with  making  apologies.  Inclofed  I  fend, 
your  Grace  a  copy  of  the  different  refolves  of  the  con- 
grefs  (though  it  is  probable  you  may  have  received  them 
before)  their  addrefs  to  the  people  of  England,  to  the 
people  of  Englifh  America,  to  the  people  of  Canada, 
and  to  the  King.  They  argue  fo  irrefiftibly,  and  they 
breath  fo  noble  an  ardor,  that  if  there  is  the  leaft  under- 
standing remaining  in  your  ifland,  and  the  leaft  virtue  la- 
tent, the  former  muft  be  convinced,  and  the  latter  roufed 
to  a£Hon.  What  could  put  it  into  our  blockheads  heads., 
that  thefe  people  could  be  tricked  out  of  their  liberties 
by  their  cunning,  or  bullied  by  any  force  which  they 
can  fend  over  ?  What  devil  of  nonfenfe  could  inftigate 
any  man  of  General  Gage's  understanding  to  concur  in 
bringing  about  this  delulion  ?  I  have  lately,  my  lord, 
run  through  alnioft  the  whole  colonies,  from  the  South 
to  the  North.  I  have  converfed  with  all  orders  of  men 
from  the  in  it  eftated  gentlemen  to  the  pooreft  planters, 
and  cannot  exprefs  my  aftonifhment  at  the  good  fenfe 
and  general  knowledge,  which  pervades  the  whole  ;  but 
their  elevated  principles,  their  enthufiafm  in  the  caufe  of 
freedom  and  their  country,  is  ftill  more  admirable. 

I  think  I  fhould  not  be  guilty  of  exaggeration  in  af- 
ferting,  that  there  are  two  hundred  thoufand  ftrong  bo- 
died adive  yeomanry,  ready  to  encounter  all  hazards  and 
dangers,  ready  to  facrilice  all  considerations  rather  than 
furrender  a  tittle  of  the  rights  which  they  have  derived 
from  God  and  their  anceftors :  But  this  is  not  all,  they 
are  not  like  the  yeomanry  of  other  countries,  unarmed 
and  uuuffd  to  arms  ;  but  they  are  all  furnifhed  and  all 
expert  in  the  ufe.  They  want  nothing  but  fomc  arrange- 
rhent,  and  this  they  are  now  bent  on  eftablifhing.  Vir- 
ginia, Rhodc-Sfland,  and  Carolina,  are  forming  corps: 

Maflachufetts- 


(  i*1  ) 

Maflachufetts-Bay  has  long  had  a  fufRcient  number  in- 
Knitted  to  become  inftrudtivc  to  the  reft  ;  even  this 
t^uakcring  province  is  following  the  example.  I  was 
prefcnt  at  a  review  of  fonie  o(  their  companies  at  Provi- 
dence in  Rhode-lfiand,  and  really  never  law  any  thing 
more  perfect  :  in  ihort,  unlcfs  the  banditti  at  "VVeftminfter 
rp'eedily  undo  every  thing  they  have  done,  their  royal 
paymafter,  will  hear  of  reviews  and  manoeuvres,  not  quite 
fo  entertaining  as  thofc  he  is  prefented  with  in  Hyde 
*Park  and  Wimbleton  Common. 

I  muft  now,  my  dear  Lord,  haften"  to  the  main  pur- 
pofe  of  this  leter  :  As  your  LorduYp  is  juftly  confider- 
ed  as  one  of  the  mod  ftrenuous  advocates,  and  patrons 
Of  this  country,  and  one  of  the  moft  active  ailertors  o£ 
the  rights  of  mankind,  I  muft  beg  leave  to  propofe  to 
you,  what,  had  you  adverted  to,  I  am  perfuaded  you 
would  have  already  adopted  ;  it  is  to  fet  on  foot  a  iub- 
fcription  for  a  relief  or  an  indemnification  for  the  brave 
fufFerers  of  Bofton.  T  hefe  people's  fufferings  and  merit 
are  fo  tranfeendent,  that  men  lefs  animated  with  fenti- 
ment  and  public  fpirit  than  your  Lordfhip,  would  exert 
themfelves  in  their  caufe.  A  town  confifting  of  thirty 
thoufand  people,  perhaps  of  more  eafe  and  affluent  cir- 
cuftances  than  any  other  town  of  the  world,  reduced 
at  one  ftroke  to  beggary  and  wretchednefs  ;  every  indi- 
vidual of  them  deprived  of  the  means  of  fupplying  them- 
felves with  a  morfel  of  bread,  but  what  is  furniflied  to 
them  by  the  precarious  hand  of  charity  ;  to  fee  a  whole 
people  ftruggling  with  the  extreme  of  diftrefs,  not  only 
magnanimoufly,  but  cheerfully,  rather  than  comply  with 
the  wifhes  of  brutal  tyrants,  and  thereby  admit  prece- 
dents injurious  to  mankind  and  pofterity,  is,  I  fay,  a 
ftrain  of  virtue  almoft  too  bright  for  modern  eyes  to  gaze 
at  j  and  muft  fill  every  breaft,  not  totally  dead  to  fenti- 
ment  and  feeling,  with  rage,  indignation,  horror,  and 
compaftion.  But  they  went  further  \  they  made  a  for- 
mal offer  to  the  Congrefs,  to  abandon  their  town,  with 
their  wives,  children,  aged,  and  infirm,  throw  themfelves 
on  the  charity  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  or  build 

huts 


(    23ff    ) 

huts  m  the  woods  and  never  revifit  their  native  wallsj 
until  re-elhblilhcd  in  the  full  pofleflion  of  their  rights 
and  liberties.  Your  Lordfliip  will  fee  the  Congrefs's  re- 
folvc  on  this  head  :  Thefe  inftances,  I  am  furc,  render 
unneceffary  any  thing  I  could  fay,  to  incite  a  man  of  your 
Grace's  ilamp,  to  exertions  in  their  favour,  or,  more  pro- 
perly, in  favour  and  fupport  of  human  virtue.  I  ihould 
be  very  happy  in  receiving  a  couple  of  lines  in  anfwer  ; 
it  mull  be  directed  for  me,  at  Richard  Penn,  Efq.  at 
Philadelphia. 

I  am,  my  Lord,  your  Grace's 

true  friend,  admirer,  and 
Humble  fervant, 
_      .  C.  LEE. 

To  His  Grace  the  Duke  of 


Mr  Dear  Sir,  Philadelphia,  June  7th,  1775. 

WE  have  had  twenty  different  accounts  of  your  ar- 
rival at  Boflon,  which  have  been  regularly  contradicted 
the  next  morning  ;  but  as  I  now  find  it  certain  that  you 
are  arrived,  I  ihall  not  delay  a  fingle  inftant  addrefling 
myfelf  to  you.  It  is  a  duty  I  owe  to  the  friendfhip  I  have 
long  and  fincerely  profefled  for  you ;  a  friendfhip  to 
which  you  have  the  flrongefl  clainra  from  the  firfl  mo- 
ment of  our  acquaintance.  There  is  no  man  from  whom 
I  have  received  fo  many  teftimonies  of  eftetm  and  affec- 
tion j  there  is  no  man  whofe  efteem  and  affection  could, 
in  my  opinion,  have  done  me  greater  honour.  I  intreat 
and  conjure  you,  therefore,  my  dear  Sir,  to  impute  thefe 
lines,  not  to  a  petulant  itch  of  fcribbling,  but  to  the  mofl 
unfeigned  folieitude  for  the  future  tranquillity  of  your 
mind,  and  for  your  reputation.  I  fincerely  lament  the 
infatuation  of  the  times,  when  men  of  fuch  a  ftamp  as 
Mr.  Burgoyne  and  Mr.  Howe  can  be  feduced  into  fo  im- 
pious and  nefarious  a  fervice  by  the  artifice  of  a  wicked 
and  infidious  court  and  cabinet.  You  cannot  but  re- 
collect their  manoeuvres  in  your  own  felecl  committee* 

and 


(      2C9      ) 

*nd  the  treatment  yourfeif  as  prefident  received  from 
thefe  abandoned  men.  You  cannot  but  recollect  the 
black  bufinefs  of  St.  Vincents,  by  an  oppofition  to  whjch 
you  acquired  the  higheft  and  mod  deferved  honour.  I 
{hall  not  trouble  you  with  my  opinion  of  the  right  of 
taxing  America  without  her  own  confent,  as  I  am  afraid, 
from  what  I  have  fcen  of  your  fpeeches,  that  you  have 
already  formed  your  creed  an  this  article ;  but  I  will 
boldly  affirm,  had  this  right  been  eftablifhed  by  a  thou- 
fand  ftatutes,  had  America  admitted  it  from  time  imme- 
morial, it  would  be  the  duty  of  every  good  Englifhman 
to  exert  his  utmoft  to  diveft  parliament  of  this  right,  as 
it  mud  inevitably  work  the  fubverfion  cf  the  whole  em- 
pire. The  malady  under  which  the  State  labours,  is  in- 
difputably  derived  from  the  inadequate  reprefentation 
of  the  lubjeft,  and  the  valt  pecuniary  influence  of  the 
crown. 

To  add  to  this  pecuniary  influence  and  incompetency 
of  reprefentation,  is  to  ififure  and  precipitate  our  deitruc- 
tion.  To  with  any  addition,  can  fcarcely  enter  the  heart 
of  a  citizen  who  has  the  lead  fpark  of  public  virtue,  and 
who  is  at  the  fame  time  capable  of  feeing  confequenccs 
the  molt  immediate.  I  appeal,  Sir,  to  your  own  con-» 
fcience,  to  your  experience  and  knowledge  of  our  court 
and  parliament,  and  I  requeit  you  to  lay  your  hand  upon 
your  heart,  and  then  anfwer  with  your  ufual  integrity 
and  franknefs,  whether,  on  thefuppofition  America  mould 
be  abject,  enough  to  fubmit  to  the  terms  impofed,  you 
think  a  frngle  guinea  raifed  upon  her  would  be  applied 
to  the  purpofe  [as  it  is  oftcntatioufly  held  out  to  deceive 
the  people  at  home]  of  eafing  trie  mother  country  ?  Or 
whether  you  are  not  convinced  that  the  whole  they  could 
extract,  would  be  applied  folely  to  keep  up  (till  further 
the  enormous  fund  for  corruption  which  the  Crown  al- 
ready poflefles,  and  of  which  a  mod  diabolical  ufe  is 
made.  On  thefc  principles,  1  fay,  Sir,  every  good  Eng- 
lifhman, abftraiSled  of  all  regard  for  America,  mull  op- 
pofe  her  beiag  taxed  by  the  Britifh  parliament  •,  for  my 
own  part,  I  arn.  convinced  that  no  argument  (not  totally 
T  2  abhorrent 


(       210      ) 

abhorrent  from  the  fpirit  of  liberty,  and  the  Britifh  con-» 
(Htution)  can  be  produced  in  iupport  of  this  right.  But 
it  would  be  impertinent  to  trouble  you  upon  a  fubject 
which  has  been  fo  amply,  and,  in  my  opinion,  fo  fully 
difcuffed.  I  find  by  a  fpeech  given  as  yours  in  the  pub- 
lic papers,  that  it  was  by  the  King's  pofitive  command 
you  embarked  in  this  fervice.  I  am  fomewhat  pleafed 
that  it  is  not  an  office  of  your  own  feeking,  though,  at 
the  fame  time,  I  mult  confefs,  that  it  is  very  alarming 
to  every  virtuous  citizen,  when  he  fees  men  of  fenfe  and 
integrity  (becaufe  of  a  certain  profeflion)  lay  it  down  as 
a  rule  implicitly  to  obey  the  mandates  of  a  court,  be  they 
ever  fo  flagitious.  It  furniihes,  in  my  opinion,  the  bell 
argument  for  the  total  reduction  of  the  army.  But  I  am 
running  into  a  tedious  effay,  whereas  I  ought  to  confine 
myfelf  to  the  main  defign  and  purpofe  of  this  letter, 
which  is  to  guard  you  and  your  colleagues  from  thofe 
prejudices  which  the  fame  mifcreants,  who  have  infatu- 
ated General  Gage,  and  dill  furround  him,  will  labour 
to  inflil  into  you  againfl  a  brave,  loyal,  and  moft  deferv- 
ing  people.  The  avenues  of  truth  will  be  fliut  up  to 
you.  I  aflert,  Sir,  that  even  General  Gage  will  deceive 
you,  as  he  has  deceived  himfelf ;  I  do  not  fay  he  will  do 
it  defignedly  :  I  do  not  think  him  capable  :  But  his  mind 
is  fo  totally  poifoned,  and  his  undLiftanding  fo  totally 
blinded  by  the  focicty  of  fools  and  knaves,  that  he  no 
longer  is  capable  of  difcerning  facts  as  manifefl  as  noon- 
day fun.  I  afTert,  Sir,  that  his  letters  to  the  miniitry, 
(at  leaft,  fuch  as  the  public  have  feen)  are  one  continued 
tiflue  of  mifreprefentation,  injuftice,  and  tortured  infer- 
ences from  miftated  fa£ts.  I  affirm,  Sir,  that  he  has  ta- 
ken no  pains  to  inform  himfelf  of  the  truth  ;  that  he  has 
never  converfed  with  a  man  who  has  had  the  courage  or 
henefty  to  tell  him  the  truth.  I  am  apprehenfive  that 
you  and  your  colleagues  may  fall  into  the  fame  trap,  and 
it  is  the  apprehenfion  that  you  may  be  inconfiderateljr 
hurried  by  the  vigour  and  activity  you  pofiefs  into  mea- 
fures  which  may  be  fatal  to  many  innocent  individuals, 
may  hereafter  wound  your  own  feelings,  and  which  can- 
not 


(      211       > 

not  poflibly  ferve  the  came  of  thofe  who  fent  you,  thai 
has  prompted  me  to  addrefs  thefe  lines  to  you.  I  mod 
devoutly  wifh,  that  your  induftry,  valour  and  and  military 
talents,  may  be  referred  for  a  more  honourable  and  vir- 
tuous fervice,  againft  the  natural  enemies  of  your  coun- 
try (to  whom  our  Court  3re  fo  bafely  complacent)  and 
not  be  wafted  in-ineffe&ual  attempts  to  reduce  to  the 
wretchedeft  (late  of  fervitude,  the  moft  meritorious  part 
of  your  fellow  fubjedts.  I  fay,  Sir,  that  any  attempts  to 
accomplifh  this  purpofe  mult  be  ineffectual.  You  can- 
not poflibly  fucceed.  No  man  is  better  acquainted  with 
the  ltate  of  this  continent  than  myfelf.  I  have  ran  thro' 
almoft  the  whole  colonies  from  the  North  to  the  South, 
and  from  the  South  to  the  North.  I  have  converted  with 
all  orders  of  men,  from  the  firft  eftated  gentlemen,  to  the 
lowed  planter  and  farmers,  and  can  affure  you  that  the 
tame  fpirit  animates  the  whole.  Not  lefs  than  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thoufand  gentlemen,  yeomen,  and  farmers, 
are  now  in  arms,  determined  to  preferve  their  liberties- 
or  periih.  As  to  the  idea  that  the  Americans  are  defi- 
cient in  courage,  it  is  too  ridiculous  and  glaringly  falfe; 
to  deferve  a  ferious  refutation.  I  never  could  conceive 
upon  what  this  notion  was  founded.  I  fervcd  ieveral 
campaigns  in  America  the  laft  war,  and  cannot  recollect 
a  fingle  inftance  of  ill  behaviour  in  the  provincials, 
where  the  regulars  acquitted  themfelves  well.  Indeed 
wc  well  remember  fome  inftances  of  the  reverfe,  parti- 
cularly where  the  late  Colonel  Grant  (he  who  lately 
pledged  himfelf  for  the  general  cowardice  of  America) 
ran  away  with  a  large  body  of  his  own  regiment,  and 
was  faved  from  deftruction,  by  the  valour  of  a  few  Vir- 
ginians. Such  prepofterous  arguments  are  only  proper 
lor  the  Rigbysand  Sandwichs,  from  whofe  mouths  ne- 
ver uTued,  and  to  whofe  breafts,  truth  and  decency  are 
utter  ltrangers.  You  will  much  oblige  me  in  communi- 
cating this  letter  to  General  Howe,  to  whom  I  could 
wilh  it  fhould  be  confidered  in  fome  meafure  addreffed  j 
as  well  as  to  yourfelf.  Mr.  Howe  is  a  man  for  whom  L 
have  ever  had  the  higheft  love  and  reverence.     I  have, 

honoured 


(    ***    ) 

honoured  him  for  his  own  connexions,  but  above  al!, 
for  his  admirable  talents  and  good  qualities.  I  have  coin- 
ed his  acquaintance  and  friendfhip,  not  only  as  a  plea- 
fure,  but  as  an  ornament  ;  I  flattered  myfelf  that  I  had 
obtained  it.  Gracious  God  !  is  it  poilible  that  Mr.  Howe 
ihonld  be  prevailed  upon  to  accept  fuch  an  office  !  that 
the  brother  of  him,  to  whofe  memory  the  much  injured 
people  of  Boflon  eretted  a  monument,  mould  be  em- 
ployed as  one  of  the  initruments  of  their  deftruction  \ 
But  the  fafliion  of  the  times  it  feems  is  fuch,  as  renders 
it  impolfible  that  he  fhould  avoid  it.  The  commands  of 
our  moft  gracious  fovereign,  are  to  cancel  all  moral  ob- 
ligations, to  fanclify  every  aclion,  even  thofe  that  the 
fatrap  of  an  Ealtern  defpot  would  ftart  at*  I  fhall  now 
beg  leave  to  fay  a  few  words  with  refpeft  to  myfelf  and 
the  part  I  a£l.  I  was  bred  up  from  my  infancy  in  the 
higheft  veneration  for  the  liberties  of  mankind  in  general. 
What  I  have  ieen  of  Courts  and  Princes,  convinces  me 
that  power  cannot  be  lodged  in  worfe  hands  than  in 
theirs  j  and  of  all  courts  I  am  perfuaded  that  ours  is  the 
moft  corrupt  and  holtile  to  the  rights  of  humanity.  I 
am  convinced,  that  a  regular  plan  has  been  laid,  indeed 
every  a£t  fince  the  prefent  acceffion  evinces  it,  to  abolifh 
even  the  fhadow  of  liberty  from  amongft  us.  It  was  not 
the  demolition  of  the  tea,  it  was  not  any  other  particular 
a&  of  the  Boftonians,  or  of  the  other  provinces,  which 
conftituted  their  crimes  ;  but  it  is  the  noble  fpirit  of  liber- 
ty, manifeftly  pervading  the  whole  continent,  which  has 
rendered  them  the  objects  of  minifterial  and  royal  venge- 
ance. Had  they  been  notoriously  of  another  difpolition, 
had  they  been  homines  adfervitudine7nparatosi  they  might 
have  made  as  free  with  the  property  of  the  Eaft-India 
Company  as  the  felonious  North  himfelf,  with  impunity. 
But  the  lords  of  St.  James's  and  their  mercenaries  of  St. 
Stephen's,  well  know,  that  as  long  as  the  free  fpirit  of  this 
great  continent  remains  unfubdued,  the  progrefs  they  can 
make  in  their  fcheme  of  univerfal  defpotifm,  will  be  but 
trifling.  Hence  it  is,  that  they  wage  inexpiable  war  againft 
America,     in  fliort,  this  is  the  laft  aflylum  of  perfecuted 

liberty 


(      213      ) 

liberty.  Here  mould  the  machinations  and  fury  of  hef 
enemies  prevail,  that  bright  Goddefs  mud  fly  oiY from  the 
face  of  the  earth,  and  leave  not  a  trace  behind.  Thefe,  Sir, 
are  my  principles  ;  this  is  my  pcrfua(ion,and  confequent- 
ly  I  am  determined  to  act.  I  have  now  Sir,  only  to  en- 
treat, that  whatever  meafures  you  purfue,  whether  thofe 
which  your  real  friends  (myfelf  amongft  them)  would 
wifh,  or  unfortunately  thole  which  our  ^cvni'cd  tnij'rult-rs 
ihall  dictate,  you  will  {till  believe  me  to  be  perfonally, 
with  thegreateft  fincerity  and  affection, 

P  Yours  &c. 

C.LEE. 
Gen.  Burgoyne. 


Dear  Sir, 

"WHEN  we  were  lad  together  in  fervice  I  mould  not 
have  thought  it  within  the  viciflitude  of  human  affairs, 
that  we  mould  meet  at  any  time,  or  in  any  fenfe  as  foes: 
the  letter  you  have  honoured  me  with,  and  my  own 
feelings  combine  to  prove  we  are  far  from  being  perfo- 
nally fuch. 

I  claim  no  merit  from  the  attentions  you  fo  kindly 
remember,  but  as  they  manifeft  how  much  it  was  my 
pride  to  be  known  for  your  friend  :  Nor  have  I  departed 
from  the  duties  of  that  character,  when  I  will  not  fcruple 
to  fnv,  it  has  been  almoft  a  general  offence  to  maintain 
it  :  I  mean  fincc  the  violent  part  you  have  taken  in  the 
commotions  of  the  colonies.  It  would  exceed  the  limits 
and  propriety  of  our  prefent  correfpondence  to  argue  at 
full,  the  great  caufe  in  which  we  are  engaged.  But,  anx- 
ious to  preferve  a  confident  and  ingenuous  character, 
and  jealous,  I  confefs,  of  having  the  part  I  fuftain  imput- 
ed to  fuch  motives  as  you  intimate,  I  will  ftate  to  you  as 
concilely  as  I  can,  the  principles  upon  which,  not  volun- 
tarily, but  molt  confeientiouily,  I  undertook  it. 

I  have,  like  you,  entertained  from  my  infancy,  a  vene- 
ration for  public  liberty.     I  have  like  wife  regarded  the 

Britifh 


(  m  ) 

Britifh  conftitution,  as  the  bed  fafe -guard  of  that  bleffingf 
to  be  found  in  the  hiftory  of  mankind.  The  vital  prhil 
eiple  of  the  conftitution,  in  which  it  moves  and  has  its 
being,  is  the  fupremacy  of  the  King  in  Parliament,  a  I 
compound,  indefinite,  indefeafable  power,  co-eval  with 
the  origin  of  the  empire,  and  co-extenfive  over  all  its 
parts  :  l  am  no  ftranger  to  the  doctrines  of  Mr.  Locke 
and  other  cf  the  beft  advocates  for  the  rights  of  mankind 
upon  the  compact  always  implied  between  the  govern- 
ing and  governed,  and  the  right  of  refiftance  in  the 
latter,  when  the  compact  fhall  be  fo  violated  as  to  leave 
xlo  other  means  of  redrefs.  I  look  with  reverence  almoft 
amounting  to  idolatry,  upon  thofe  immortal  men  who 
adopted  and  applied  fuch  doctrine,  during  part  of  the 
reign  of  Charles  the  Firft,  and  that  of  James  the  Second. 
Should  corruption  pervade  the  three  eftates  of  the  realm9 
io  as  to  prevent  the  great  ends  of  their  inftitution,  and 
"make  the  power  vefted  in  them  for  the  good  of  the 
whole  people  operate  like  an  abufe  upon  the  prerogative 
of  the  Crown  to  general  oppreaion,  I  am  ready  to  ac- 
knowledge, that  the  fame  doctrine  of  refiftance  applies 
as  forceably  againft  the  abufes  of  the  collective  body  of 
power,  as  againft  thofe  of  the  Crown,  or  either  of  the 
component  branches  Separately  :  ftill  always  underftood 
that  no  other  means  of  redrefs  can  be  obtained.  A  cafe, 
I  contend,  much  more  difficult  to  fuppofe  when  it  relates 
to  the  whole,  than  when  it  relates  to  parts.  But  in  all 
cafes  that  have  exifted,  or  can  be  conceived,  I  hold,  that 
refiftance,  to  be  juftifiable,  muft  be  directed  againft  the 
ufurpation  or  undue  exercife  of  power,  and  that  it  is 
mod  criminal,  when  directed  againft  any  power  itfelf  in- 
herent in  die  conftitution. 

And  here  you  will  difcern  immediately  why  I  drew  a 
line  in  the  allufion  I  made  above  to  the  reign  of  Charles 
the  Firft.  Towards  the  clofe  of  it  the  true  principle  of 
refiftance  was  changed,  and  a  new  fyftem  of  government 
projected  accordingly.  The  patriots,  previous  to  the 
long  parliament,  and  during  great  part  of  it,  as  well  as 
Vhe  glorious  Revolutionifts  of  1 68 1,  refilled  to  vindicate 

and 


(    *«3    ) 

and  reftore  the  constitution  ;  the  republicans  refifted,  to 
Jwfcvert  it. 

Now,  Sir,  lay  your  hand  upon  your  heart,  as  you  have 
enjoined  me  to  do  on  mine,  and  tell  me,  to  which  of 
thefe  purpofes  do  the  proceedings  of  America  tend  ?  Is 
it  the  weight  of  taxes  impofed  and  the  poiTibility  of  re- 
lief after  due  reprefentation  of  her  burthens,  that  has  in- 
duced her  to  take  up  arms  ?  Or  is  it  a  denial  of  the 
legiflative  right  of  Great  Britain,  to  impofe  them,  and 
confequently  a  druggie  for  total  independency  ?  For  this 
idea  of  a  power  that  can  tax  externally  and  not  internally* 
and  all  the  fophiitry  that  attends  it,  though  it  may  catch 
the  weaknefs  and  prejudices  of  the  multitude  in  a  fpeech 
or  a  pamphlet,  is  too  prepolterous  to  weigh  ferioufly  with 
a  man  or  your  understanding,  and  I  am  perfuaded  you 
will  admit  the  queftion  fairly  put. 

Is  it  then  for  a  relief  from  taxes  ?  or  from  the  controul 
of  parliament  "  in  all  cafes  whatfoever,"  that  we  are  in 
war  ?  If,  for  the  former,  the  quarrel  is  at  an  end.  There 
is  not  a  man  of  fenfe  and  information  in  America,  who 
does  not  fee  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  colonies  to  obtain  a 
relinquiihment  of  the  exercife  of  taxation  immediately 
and  for  ever,  I  boldly  aflert  it,  becaufe  fenfe  and  infor- 
mation mult  alio  fugged  to  every  man,  that  it  can  never 
be  the  intereft  of  Britain  to  make  a  fecond  trial. 

But  if  the  other  ground  is  taken,  and  it  is  intended  to 
wivil  from  Great  Britain  a  link  of  that  fubftantial,  and,  I 
hope,  perpetual  chain,  by  which  the  empire  holds,  think  it 
not  a  minifterial  mandate  ;  think  it  not  a  mere  profelTion- 
al  ardour  ;  think  it  not  prejudice  againft  any  part  of  our 
fellow  fubjects,  that  induces  men  of  integrity,  and  among 
fuch  ycu  have  done  me  the  honour  to  clafs  me,  to  a£t  with 
vigour.  But  be  allured  it  is  conviction,  that  the  whole 
of  our  political  fyitem  depends  upon  preferring  entire 
its  great  and  efiential  parts  ;  and  none  is  fo  great  and  ef- 
fential  as  the  fupremacy  of  legiiiation.  It  is  conviction, 
tli  (t  is  the  kmg  of  England  never  appears  in  fo  glorious 
a  cap  ic'.ty  as  when -he  employs  tire  executive  power  of  the 
sate  to  maintain  the  laws,  fo,  in  the  prclent-exertions  of 

that 


(    ai6    ) 

that  power,  Ins  Majefty  is  particularly  entitled  to  our 
zeal  and  grateful  obedience,  not  only  as  foldiers,  but  as 
citizens. 

Thcfc  principles,  depend  upon  it,  actuate  the  army 
and  fleet  throughout :  and  let  me  at  the  fame  time  add, 
there  are  few,  if  any,  gentleman  among  us  who  would 
have  drawn  his  fword  in  the  caufe  of  flavery.  But  why 
do  I  confine  myfelf  to  the  fleet  and  army  ?  I  affirm,  the 
fentiments  I  here  touch,  to  be  thofe  of  the  great  bulk  of 
the  nation.  I  appeal  even  to  thofe  trading  towns  which 
are  fufTcrers  by  the  difpute,  and  the  city  of  London  at  the 
head  of  them,  notwithstanding  the  petitions'  and  remon- 
strances that  the  arts  of  parties  and  factions  have  extort* 
cd  from  fome  individuals  ;  and  laft,  becaufe,  leaft  in  your* 
favour,  I  appeal  to  the  majorities  of  the  laft  year  upon 
American  queftions  in  parliament.  The  moft  licentious 
news-writer  wants  aflurance  to  call  thefe  majorities  mi- 
nifterial  j  much  lefs  will  you,  when  you  impartially  ex- 
amine the  characters  of  which  they  were  in  a  great  de- 
gree eompofed  •,  men  of  the  moft  independent  principles 
and  fortunes,  and  many  of  them  profeiTedly  in  oppofition 
in  their  general  line  of  conduct;. 

Among  other  fupporters  of  Dritifh  rights  againft  Ame- 
rican claims,  I  will  not  fpeak  pofitively,  but,  I  firmlv  be- 
lieve, I  may  name  the  men  of  whofe  integrity  and  judg- 
ment you  have  the  higheft  opinion,  and  whole'  friendfhin 
is  neareft  your  heart  ;  I  mean  Lord  Thanet,  from  whom 
my  aid  tie  camp  has  a  letter  for  you,  with  another  from 
Sir  C.  Davers.  I  do  not  inclofe  them,  becaufe  the  wri- 
ters [little  imagining  how  difficult  your  conduct  Would 
render  our  intcrcourfej  defjfed  they  might  be  delivered 
into  your  hands. 

For  this  purpofe,  as  well  as  to  renew  "  the  rights  of 
our  fellowihip,"  I  wifli  to  fee  you  ;  artd,  above  all,  I 
ihould  think  an  interview  happy  if  it  induced  fuch  expla- 
nations as  might  tend,  in  their  confequeuces,  to  peace.  I 
feel,  in  common  with  all  around  me,  for  the  unhappy 
deluded  bulk  of  this  country  :  they ,  forefee  not  the  dif- 
trefs  that  is  impending,     I  know  Great  Britain  is  ready 

to 


(      21"      [ 

t©  open  her  arms  upon  the  firit  reafonable  overtures  oi 
Accommodation  :  I  know  flie  is  equally  rcfolute  to-main- 
tain  her  original  right  •,  and  I  alio  know,  that  if  the  war 
proceeds,  your  hundred  and  fifty  thoufand  men  will 
be  no  match  for  her  power.  I  put  my  honour  to  thefe 
affertions  as  you  have  done  to  others  •,  and  I  claim  the 
credit  I  am  walling  to  give. 

The  place  I  would  propofe  for  our  meeting,  is  the 
houfe  on  Bofton  Neck,  juft  within  our  advanced  fentries, 
called  Brown's  Houfe ;  I  will  obtain  authority  to  gi\^ 
you  my  parole  of  honour  for  your  fecure  return.  I  flviil 
expett  the  fame  on  your  part,  that  no  intuit  be  offered 
me.     If  the  propofal  is  agreeable  to  you,  name  your  Uc^f 

and  hour  : and  at  all  events,  accept  a  lincere  return' 

of  the  affitrances  you  honour  me  with,  and  believe  me, 
Affectionately  Your's, 

J.  BURGOYNE. 

P.  S.  I  have  been  prevented,  by  bufinefs,  anfwerincj 
your  letter  {boner.  I  obeyed  your  commands  in  regard 
to  General  Howe  and  Clinton  ;  and  I  likcwife  commu- 
nicated to  Lord  Percy  the  contents  of  your  letter  and  my 
nnfwer.  They  all  join  with  me  in  compliments,  and 
authoriie  me  to  a  flu  re  you  they  do  the  fame  in  princi- 
ples. 


C.  mbridge,  HeaJ-Qu:;rtefs,  July  nth,  i/)f. 
GENERAL  LEE'S  compliments  to  General  Bur- 
goyne:  would  be  extremely  happy  in  the  interview  he 
Xo  kindly  propofed  \  but  as  he  perceives,  that  General 
I  Burgoyne  has  already  made  up  his  mind  on  this  great 
fubjecl,  and  that  it  is  impofflble  that  he  (General  JLee) 
fliould  ever  alter  his  opinion,  he  is  apprehenfive  that  the 
interview  might  create  thofe  jealoufies  and  ftifpieions  fo 
natural  to  a  people  ftruggling  in  the  deareftof  all  caufes, 
that  of  their  liberty,  property,  wives,  children,  and  their 
future  generations.  He  muff,  therefore,  defer  the  hap* 
pinels  of  embracing  a  man  whom  he  molt  dncerely  loves, 

U 


(     2i8     ) 


'.mil  die  fubverfion  of  the  prefent  tyrannical  miniftry  anc 
fyftem,  which  he  is  perfuaded  muft  be  in  a  few  months, 
as  he  knows  Great  Britain  cannot  fhind  the  eonteft.  He 
begs  General  Burgoyne  will  fend  the  letters  which  his 
aid  de  camp  has  for  him.  If  Gardiner  is  his  aid  de  camp, 
he  defircs  his  love  to  him.    • 


Di:ar  Sir,  Camp,  on  Profpecl-Hill,  Dec.  ift,  1775. 

AS  I  am  juft  informed  you  are  ready  to  embark  for 
England,  I  cannot  refrain  from  once  more  trefpa  fling  on 
your  patience.  An  opportunity  is  now  prefented  of  im-' 
mortalizing  yourfelf  as  the  faviour  of  your  country.    The 
whole  Britifh  empire  (lands  tottering  on  the  brink  of  ru- 
in, and  you  have  it   in  your  power  to  prevent,  the  fatal 
cataftrophe  ;  but  it  will  admit  of  no  delay.  For  Heaven's 
fake  avail  yourfelf  of  the  precious  moment :   put  and  end 
to  the  delufion  :  exert  the  voice  of  a  brave,  virtuous  ci- 
tizen j  and  tell  the  people  at  home,  that  they  muft  im- 
mediately refcind  all  their  impolitic,  iniquitous,  tyranni- 
cal, murderous  acts  ;  that  they  muft  overturn  the  whole 
frantic  fyftem,  or  that  they  are  undone.     You  afk  me, 
in  your  letter,  if  it  is  independence  at  which  the  Ameri- 
cans aim  ?  I  anfwer,  no  j  the  idea  never  entered  a  finglc 
American's  head,  until  the  moft  intolerable  oppreflion 
forced  it  upon  them.     All  they  required  was,  to  remain 
mafters  of  their  own  property,  and  be  governed  by  the 
fame  equitable  laws  which  they  had  enjoyed  from  the  firft 
formation  of  the  Colonies.  The  ties  of  connection  which 
bound  them  to  their  parent  country,  were  fo  dear  to 
them,  that  he  who  would  have  ventured  to  touch  them, 
would  have  been  confidered  as  the  moft  impious  of  mor- 
tals j  but  thefe  fiered  ties,  the  fame  men,  who  have  vi- 
olated or  baffled  the  moft  precious  laws  and  rights  of  the 
people  at  home,  diffipated,  or  refufed  to  account  for  their 
treafures,  tarniihed  the  glory,  and  annihilated  the  im- 
portance of  the  nation!  thefe  facred  ties,  I  fay,   fo  dear 
to  every   American,  Bute  and  his  Tory  admiuiftration 
are  now  rending  afunder. 

You- 


(     ai9     ) 

You  afk,  whether  it  is  the  weight  of  taxes  of  which 
they  complain  ?  I  anfwer,  no  :  It  is  the  principle  they 
combat,  and  they  would  be  guilty  in  the  eyes  of  Goa 
and  men,  of  the  prefent  world,  and  all  poflerity,  did  they 
not  reject  it ;  for  if  it  were  admitted,  they  would  have 
nothing  that  they  could  call  their  own  ;  they  would  be  in 
a  worfe  condition  than  the  wretched  ffaves  in  the  Weft"- 
India  iflands,  whole  little  peculium  has  ever  been  efteein- 
ed  inviolate.  But,  wherefore  ihould  I  dwell  on  this  ?  Is 
wot  the  cafe  with  Ireland  the  fame  with  theirs  ?  They 
are  fubordinate  to  the  Britilh  empire  ;  they  arc  fubordi- 
nate  to  the  Parliament  of  Great  Biitain,  but  they  tax 
themfelves.  "Why,  as  the  cafe  is  fimilar,  do  you  not  begin 
with  them  ?  But  you  know,  Mr.  Burgoyne,  audacious  as 
the  n.iniftry  are,  they  dare  not  attempt  it.  There  is  one 
part  of  your  letter  which,  I  confefs,  I  do  notiraderftand. 
If  I  recollect  right,  [for  J,  unfortunately,  have  not  the 
letter  by  me,]  you  -fay,  that  if  the  privilege  of  taxing 
themfelves  is  what  the  Americans  claim,  the  conteft  is  at 
an  end.  You  furely  cannot  allude  to  the  propofuions  of 
North.  It  is  impoflible  that  you  fhould  not  think,  with 
me  and  all  mankind,  that  theft  proportions  are  no  more 
or  lefs  than  adding  to  a  moft  abominable  oppreffioni  a 
more  abominable  infult.  But,  to  recur  to  the  ijueiuon 
of  Americans  aiming  at  independence  :  Do  any  inftruc- 
tions  of  any  one  of  the  provinces  to  their  reprefentatives, 
or  delegates,  furnilh  the  lead  ground  for  this  fufpicion  ? 
On  the  contrary,  do  they  not  all  breathe  the  ftrong<  ft  at- 
tachment and  filial  piety  to  their  parent  country  ?  But  if 
{he  difcards  all  -the  natural  tendcrnefs  of  a  mother,  and 
a£ts  the  part  of  a  cruel  ftep-dame,  it  muft  naturally  be 
expected  that  their  affections  will  ceafe  ;  the  mimftry 
leave  them  no  alternative,  autferviri,  ant  nlienart  jubent  ; 
it  is  in  human  nature  ;  it  is  a  moral  obligation  to  adopt 
the  latter.  But  the  fatal  feparation  has  not  yet  taken  place, 
and  yourfelf,  your  frngle  felf,  my  friend,  may,  perhaps, 
prevent  it.  Upon  the  miniftry,  I  am  afraid,  you  can 
make  no  impreflion ;  for,  to  repeat  a  hackneyed  quotation, 

They 


(      220      ) 

They  arf  in  blood 
Stepp'd  in  lb  fur,  that,  Humid  they  wade  no  more, 
To  return  would  be  as  tedious  as  go  o'er. 

But,  if  you  will  at  once  break  oft*  all  connections  with 
thefe  pernicious  men  ;  if  you  will  wave  all  confideratiou, 
but  the  falvation  of  your  country,  Great  Britain  may 
Hand  as  much  indebted  to  General  Burgoyne,  as  Rome 
was  to  her  Camillus.  Do  not,  I  entreat  you,  my  dear 
Sir,  think  this  the  mad  vhapfody  of  an  enthufiait,  nor  the 
cant  of  a  fatYious  defigning  man  ;  for,  in  thefe  colours, 
I  am  told,  I  am  frequently  painted.  I  fwear  by  all  that's 
facred,  as  I  hope  for  comfort  and  honour  in  this  world, 
and  to  avoid  mifery  in  the  next,  that  I  mod  earneftly  and 
devoutly  love,  my  native  country  ;  that  I  wifh  the  fame 
happy  relation  to  fubfift  for  ages  betwixt  her  and  her  chil- 
dren, which  has  raifed  the  wide  arch  of  her  empire  to  fo 
flupendcus  and  enviable  a  height ;  but  at  the  fame  time 
I  avow,  that  if  the  parliament  and  people  mould  be  de- 
praved enough  to  fupport  any  longer  the  prefent  mini- 
ftry  in  their  infernal  icheme,  my  zeal  and  reverence  for 
the  rights  of  humanity  are  fo  much,  greater  than  my 
fondnefs  for  any  particular  fpot,  even  the  place  of  my 
nativity,  that,  had  I  any  influence  in  the  councils  of  Ame- 
rica, I  would  advifc  not  to  hefitate  a  fingle  inftant,  but 
decisively  to  cut  the  Gordian  knot,  now  befmeared  with 
civil  blood. 

This,  I  know,  is  ftrong  emphatic  language,  and  might 
pal?.,  with  men  who  are  ftrangers  to  the  flame  which 
the  love  of  liberty  is  capable  of  lighting  up  in  the  human 
breaft,  for  a  proof  of  my  infantry ;  but  you,  Sir,  unlefs  I 
have  mi  (taken  vou  from  the  beginning,  will  conceive, 
that  a  man  in  his  fober  fenfes,  may  poillfs  fueh  feelings. 
In  my  fober  fenfes,  therefore,  permit  me  once  more  moft 
earneftly  to  entreat  and  conjure  you  to  exert  your  whole 
force,  energy,  and  talents  to  flop  the  miniftry  in  this 
their  headlong  career.  If  you  labour  in  vain  (as,  I 
muft  repeat,  I  think  will  be  the  cafe)  addrefs  yourfelf  to 
the  people  at  large.  By  adopting  this  method,  I  am  fo 
fanguine,  as  to  allure  myfelf  of  your  fuccefs  ;  and  your 

public 


(       221       ) 

public  character  will  be  ar,  illuftrious  as  your  perfunal 
qualities  are  amiable  to  all  who  intimately  know  you.  By 
your  means  the  colonifts  will  long  continue  the  farmers, 
planters,  and  fhipwrights  of  Great  Britain  ;  but  if  the 
prelent  courfe  is  perfiited  in,  an  internal  divorce  muft 
inevitably  take  place.  As  to  the  idea  of  fubduing  them 
into  fervitude,  and  indemnifying  yourfelves  for  the  cx- 
pence,  you  mull  be  convinced  long  before  this  of  its  ab- 
surdity. 

I  fliould  not,  perhaps,  be  extravagant,  if  I  advanced, 
that  all  the  fhips  of  the  world  would  be  too  few  to  tranf- 
port  force  fufheient  to  conquer  three  millions  of  people, 
unanimously  determined  to  Sacrifice  every  thing  to  liberty; 
but,  if  it  were  pofTible,  the  victory  would  not  be  leis  ru- 
inous than  the  defeat.  You  would  only  deftroy  your 
bwii  (trength.  No  revenue  can  pofTibly  be  exacted  out 
of  this  country.  The  army,  of  place-men  might  be  en- 
created,  but  her  circuitous  commerce,  founded  on  per- 
fect freedom,  which  alone  can  furniih  riches  to  the  me- 
tropolis, would  fall  to  the  ground.  '  But  the  dignity  e£ 
Great  Britain,  it  feems,  is  at  (take.  Would  you,  Sir,  it 
in  the  heat  of  paffion  you  had  Itruck  a  Tingle  drummer 
of  your  regiment,  and  afterwards  discovered  that  vou 
had  done  it  unjuitly,  think  it  any  forfeiture  of  vour  dig- 
nity to  acknowledge  the  wrong  ?  No :  I  am  well  acquaint- 
ed with  your  difpofition,  you  would  aflc  him  pardon  at 
tlie  head  of  your  regiment. 

I  fhall  now  conclude  (if  you  will  excufe  the  pedantry) 
with  a  fentence  of  Latin  :  jufium  efl  i  llutn  q  tibus  nectfr 
jariuuiy  et  pia  anna  qiiibus  nulla,  niji  in  arrnis,  relinnuitur 
/pes.  I  moft  fincerely  wifh  you  a  quick  and  profperoiK 
voyage,  and  that  your  happinefs  and  glory  may  be  equal 
to  the  idea  I  have  of  your  merits,  as, 

i  am,  with  the  greatcft  truth  and  affection, 

Yours, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
Major  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

U  2  Sin, 


i      «*      ) 

•Sir,  Cambridge,  i  ;;<'. 

IN  my  letter,  lately  fent  into  Bofton,  all  political  dif- 
quifition  was  defigncdly  avoided.  I  did  not  avail  nvyfelf 
of  the  advantages  which  the  facred  caufe  of  my  country, 
of  liberty,  and  of  human  nature,  manifeftly  gave  me  over 
Mr.  Gage.  I  remonftrated  with  you  in  decent  terms, 
with  refpect  to  the  hard  and  unworthy  treatment  (hewn, 
as  I  have  been  informed,  to  the  foldiers  and  citizens  of 
America,  whom  the  fortune  of  war,  chance,  or  an  er- 
roneous opinion  of  your  honour,  had  thrown  into  your 
hands.  In  anfwer  to  this  remonftrance,  we  are  infulted 
with  the  moft  outrageous  language,  and  abufive  epithets. 
Were  we,  Sir,  the  worft  of  traitors  •,  had  we  confpired 
to  fubvert  the  liberties  of  our  fellow  fubje&s ;  had  we 
confpired  to  re-eftablifh  on  the  throne  the  expelled  ty- 
rants of  the  Stuart  houfe  ;  or,  could  we  be  charged  with 
any  notorious  breach  of  faith  -,  had  we,  for  inflance,  fe- 
duced  fomc  part  of  the  troops  under  your  command, 
upon  certain  conditions,  into  a  furrender  of  their  arms, 
and  afterwards  violated  our  engagement,  the  ftyle  which 
you  alTume  would  fcarcely  be  jultifiable. 

You  afle<Sr,  Sir,  to  defpife  all  rank  not  derived  from 
the  fame  fource  with  your  own  ;  to  fpeak,  as  I  think, 
with  becoming  pride,  it  is  impoffible  to  conceive  a  more 
honourable  fource  than  that  to  which  I  owe  my  prefent 
llation.  I  was  called  to  it  by  the  voice  of  the  freely  cho- 
fen  delegates  of  a  virtuous  and  uncorrupt  people.  Yours, 
for  aught  I  know,  and,  as  I  am  told,  is  frequently  the 
cafe,  might  have  been  obtained  by  connections  with  ibme 
proftitute  part  of  a  proftitute  Houfe  of  Commons. 

You  threaten  us,  Sir,  with  a  cord  :  Begin,  Sir  ;  I  dare 
you  to  it.  Although  my  nature  fhudders  at  the  thought, 
neceility  will  force  us  to  retaliate  ;  and  we  have  it  in  our 
power,  Mr.  Gage,  to  make  a  ten-fold  retaliation. 

You  have  the  confidence  to  appeal  to  that  Almighty 
God,  whofe  every  law  you  have  violated.  Let  that  Al- 
mighty God,  to  whom  the  rights  and  happinefs  of  his 
creatures  cannot  be  indifferent,  judge  then  between  us. 
When  the  great  and  tremendous  day  fhall  arrive  j  when 

all 


(      223      ) 

all  mortals  are  to  render  a  ilri£fc  account,  which,  do  you 
apprehend,  Sir,  will  have  the  greateft  reafon  to  tremble  ? 
The  virtuous  citizen,  now  forced  to  arms  by  the  hands 
of  tyranny  ;  in  arms  not  to  rob,  fpoil,  and  invade  ;  not 
as  mercenary  inftruments  to  gratify  the  lull,  ambition, 
avarice,  or  revenge  of  fceptered  robbers  or  wicked  mi- 
rifters,  but  to  defend  their  wives,  children  and  houfe- 
hold  goods,  and  to  deliver  down  to  their  pofterity  the 
bright  inheritance  of  freedom  they  received  from  their 
fore-fathers :  which,  I  once  more  demand,  (hall,  on  that 
dreadful  day,  have  the  greateft  reafon  to  tremble  ?  The 
citizens  engaged  in  this  righteous  caufe,  or  thofe  men, 
who  by  artifice,  mifreprefentation,  and  falfehood,  have 
not  only  flained  this  fair  continent  with  the  blood  of  her 
children,  but  fhaken  the  mighty  empire  of  Britain  to  her 
foundation. 

I  fhall  now,  Sir,  clofe  my  correfpondence  with  you, 
perhaps  for  ever,  alluring  you,  that  the  intelligence  you 
have  received,  with  refpect  to  the  harfh  treatment  of  the 
prifoners  in  our  pofleflion,  is  as  remote  from  fact,  as  that 
which  you  have  conftantly  tranfmitted  to  the  miniftry, 
when  fpeaking  of  the  principles  and  defigns  of  America. 
Not  only  the  officers  and  foldiers  have  been  treated  with 
the  tendcrnefs  due  to  fellow-citizens  and  brethren,  but 
even  thofe  execrable  parricides,  born  amongft  us,  who 
have  aimed  their  daggers  at  the  vitals  of  their  parents, 
have  been  protected  from  the  fury  of  a  molt  juftly  en- 
raged people. 

I  {hall  now,  Sir,  only  add,  that  for  the  future,  what- 
ever mode  of  conduct  you  fhall  think  proper  to  obferve 
towards  thofe  of  our  people  who  are  in  your  cuftody, 
fuch  exactly  are  the  minifterialifts  to  expect  in  return.' 
I  am,  Sir, 

Your  mod  obedient, 
Humble  fervant, 

C.  LEE. 
Gen.  Gage. 

Dear 


(     224     ) 

Dea.r  Sir,  Cambridge,  177*. 

I  LITTLE  thought  the  time  could  ever  arrive  when 
I  fhould  not  run  with  eagernefs  to  embrace  Mr.  Gage. 
"Whether  it  is  from  a  cynical  difpofition,  or  a  laudable 
rniianthropy,  whether  it  is  to  my  credit  or  difcredit,  I 
know  not ;  but  it  is  mod  certain,  that  I  have  had  a  real 
affection  for  very  few  men  ;  but  that  thefe  few  I  have 
loved  with  warmth,  zeal  and  ardour.  You,  Sir,  amongft 
thefe  few,  I  fwear  by  all  that  is  facred,  have  ever  held 
one  of  the  foremoft  places.  I  refpecled  your  underftand- 
ing,  liked  your  manners,  and  perfectly  adored  the  quali- 
ties of  your  heart.  Thefe,  Sir,  are  my  reafons,  paradox- 
ical as  they  may  appear  to  many,  that  I  now  avoid  what 
I  heretofore  fhould  have  thought  an  happinefs.  Were 
you  perfonally  indifferent  to  me,  I  fhould,  perhaps,  from 
curiofity,  appear  in  the  circle  of  your  levee  ;  but  I  hold 
in  fuch  abhorrence  the  conduct,  temper,  and  fpirit  of 
our  prefent  court ;  more  particularly  their  prefent  dia- 
bolical meafures  with  refpect  to  this  country  fills  me 
with  fo  much  horror  and  indignation,  that  I  cannot  bear 
to  fee  a  man,  from  whom  my  affections  can  never  be 
weaned,  in  the  capacity  of  one  of  their  inftruments  ;  as 
I  am  convinced  that  the  court  of  Tiberius,  or  Philip  the 
Second,  were  no  more  treacherous  and  hoftile  to  the 
rights  of  mankind  than  the  prefent  court  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. I  cannot  help  thinking  it  one  of  the  greateft  curfes 
fallen  on  mankind,  that  they  fhould  be  endued  with  fuf- 
ficient  art  to  feduce  or  delude  men  of  the  belt  hearts  and 
heads.  My  Lord  Chatham  himfelf  was  for  a  time  their 
dupe  ;  and  poor  York  was  entrapped  for  his  deftru&ion. 
I  believe,  Sir,  I  know  the  tricks  and  infidioufnefs  of  the 
Cabinet  better  than  you  do.  I  have  no  doubt,  but  they 
were  hard  fet  to  work  upon  you.  May  God  Almighty 
extricate  you,  with  honour  and  fafety,  from  their  clutch- 
es !  I  know  not  whether  the  people  of  America  will  be 
fuccefsful  in  their  ftruggles  for  liberty  ;  I  think  it  mofi 
probable  they  will,  from  what  I  have  feen  in  my  progrefs 
through  the  colonies.  So  noble  a  fpirit  pervades  all  or- 
ders of  men,  from  the  firft  eftated  gentlemen  to  the  low- 
eft 


(     U$     ) 

eft  planters,  that  I  think  they  muft  be  victorious.  I  mofr. 
devoutly  wifh  thOy  may  ;  for  if  the  machinations  of  their 
enemies  prevail,  the  bright  goddefs,  Liberty,  muft,  like 
her  filler  Aftrsea,  utterly  abandon  the  earth,  and  leave 
not  a  wreck  behind.  She  has  by  a  damned  confpiracy 
of  kings  and  ministers,  been  totally  driven  from  the  other 
Lemifpherei  Here  is  her  laft  afylum,  here  I  hope  fhe 
may  fix  her  abode. 

I  have  now,  Sir,  only  to  entreat,  that  as  knaves  and 
fools  will  probably,  from  defign  and  mifunderftanding, 
exaggerate,  disfigure,  and  diftort  what  I  do,  and  what  I 
fay,  you  will  be  upon  your  guard,  particularly  when  it 
relates  to  yourfelf.  Though  it  is  difficult  to  feparate  the 
man  from  the  office,  fhould  it  be  reported  that  I  ever 
fpeak  of  you  in  terms  of  difrefpect ,  I  entreat,  that  you 
will  flight  the  report.  I  am  not  capable  of  it.  A  per- 
fonal  friendfliip  for  Mr.  Gage,  has  taken  too  deep  root 
in  my  bread  ;  though,  were  you  my  brother,  twinned 
at  a  birth,  I  muft  wilh  to  defeat  the  purpofes  of  thofo 
by  whofe  inftru£lions  Governor  Gage  muft  act* 

As  to  North,  my  opinion  of  him  is  this,  [and  I  have 
known  him  a  long  time]  that  did  he  hear  of  a  fmgle  free- 
man in  the  remoteft  part  of  the  world,  he  would  willing- 
ly put  his  country  to  the  expence  of  furniihing  forth  an 
army  and  fleet  for  the  fole  pleafure  of  deflroying  that 
ftngle  freeman.  1  know,  Sir,  you  will  do  me  the  juftice 
to  believe  that  I  am  not  ad ing  a  part ;  that  no  affectation 
has  place  in  my  conduit.  You  have  known  me  long 
enough,  I  flatter  myfelf,  to  be  perfuaded,  that  zeal  for 
Hie  liberties  of  my  country  and  the  rights  of  mankind, 
has  been  my  predominant  paflion.  May  God  Almighty 
bleis  you,  Sir,  and,  with  honour  to  you,  diflidve  the  fpell 
which  has  charmed  you  into  a  fituation  fo  incompatible 
with  the  excellence  of  your  natural  difpolition.  Excufe 
the  length,  and  if  it  appears  to  you,  the  impertinence, 
oi  this  epiille,  and  believe  me, 

With  great  efteem, 
Your's, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
Gen.  Gage*  My 


: 


(      226      ) 

My  dear  Phipps, 

I  HAVE  not  for  a  long  time  rend  any  performartdf 
with  fo  much  pleafure,  as  the  paragraph  in  the  public  pa^ 
pers  announcing  your  fafe  return.  I  congratulate  your 
country,  your  friends,  and  particularly  myfelf,  on  this 
happy  event.  As  I  mod  fmcerely  love  and  honour  you, 
I  fliould  have  been  pleafed,  in  common  with  all  mankind, 
had  your  hopes  and  expectations  been  anfwered  in  their  I 
full  extent  •,  but,  as  your  individual  friend,  I  am  com- 
pletely fatisfied  ;  for  the  attempt  is  fufficient  to  immor- 
talize you.  A  young  man  of  your  rank  and  affluent  cir- 
cumflances,  giving  up  his  eafe,  pleafure,  and  connections, 
to  encounter  mountains,  and  even  to  rifk  the  taking  up* 
his  refidence  in  the  thrilling  regions  of  thick  Ribbedia, 
for  the  public  benefit,  would  have  appeared  heroic  in 
any  age  or  nation  j  but  the  inglorious  infipid  character 
of  the  prefent  age,hcightens  the  luftre  of  the  enterprize. 

Once  more,  my  dear  Phipps,  I  congratulate  you  and 
all  your  friends  on  your  fafe  return  j  and  the  honour ! 
which  is  your  due»  and  which  is  not  paid  you  at  home, 
come  to  this  country,  where  your  praifes  are  fung  daily  ;  . 
but  your  political  parliamentary  conduct  has  the  largeft 
fhare  of  their  panegyrick.  Their  opinion  of  your  inte- 
grity, talents,  and  confiftency,  is  very  high  •,  and  I  hope 
you  will  believe  that  I  do  not  labour  to  weaken  it.  By 
all  that  is  facred,  thefe  are  a  fine  people,  liberal,  en- 
lightened,fenfible  and  firm.  Your  Mansfields  and  Norths  ' 
may  play  over  their  wretched  tricks,  have  recourfe  to 
their  paltry  fineffes,  may  bluffer  and  bellow,  but  they 
will  never  be  able  to  trick  or  frighten  thefe  men  out  of 
their  liberties.  They  are  too  acute  and  vigilent  for  the 
former  to  avail,  and  much  too  ftrong  for  the  latter. 
Twelve  thoufand  frefh  colonifts,  half  Germans,half  Irifh, 
were  imported  this  year  into  Philadelphia  alone,  and  not 
a  much  lefs  number  into  the  colonies  of  Virginia  and 
New-York.  The  banks  of  Hudfon's-R  iver,  of  the  Mo- 
hawk, Sufquehannah,  Juniatta,  and  the  Ohio,  from  the 
Monongahela  downwards  thirty  miles,  which  at  the  peace 
were  totally  a  defert,  a,re  become  one  continued  chain 

of' 


(      227      ) 

ofvilliages.  Four  large  military  townfhips  are  immedi- 
ately to  be  eltablifhed  on  the  Miilimppi.  I  leave  to  judge, 
whether  it  will  be  eafy  to  dragoon  fo  numerous  a  people 
for  any  length  of  time.  Ships  of  war  it  is  true,  may  in- 
fult,  and  put  to  inconvenience  fomeof  their  capital  ports; 
but  thefe  teafings  and  infults  will  only  ferve  to  fhew  the 
abfurdity  of  your  minifler's  policy  in  a  more  ftriking 
light,  by  giving  a  unanimity  to  thefe  people  equal  to 
their  effectual  ltrength,  when  they  may  fet  at  defiance 
the  machinations,  not  only  of  an  earthly,  but  of  the  in- 
fernal potentate  himfelf  and  his  miniitry.  Egregious 
blockheads  !  their  folly  encreafes  every  day  ;  rib  fooner 
are  they  out  of  one  bad  fcrape,  but  they  get  into  a  worfe. 
This  bleficd  tea  project  meets  with  a  refiftance  full  as 
vigorous,  though  more  regular  and  temperate  than  the 
{lamp  act.  The  colonifls,  one  and  all,  have  entered  in- 
to the  mod  folemn  obligations  to  fend  it  back  to  its  ex- 
porters, and  continue  furnifliing  themfelves  from  the 
Dutch;  fo  that  by  the  ingenuity  of  our  miniitry,  fmug» 

gling  is  rendered  an 

Cttera  defunt. 


Six,  Stamford,  Jan.  22c].  1776. 

AS  General  Wafhington  has  informed  the  Congrefs 
of  his  motives  for  detaching  me,  it  is  needlefs  to  trouble 
you  upon  the  fubject  ;  I  am  therefore  only  to  inform 
you,  that  I  have  collected  a  body  of  about  twelve  hundred 
men  from  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  whofe  zeal  and 
ardour,  demonflrated  on  this  occafion,  cannot  be  fuffici- 
ently  praifed.  With  this  body  I  am  marching  directly 
to  New-York,  to  execute  the  different  purpofes  for 
which  I  am  detached.  I  am  fenfiblc,  Sir,  that  nothing 
can  carry  the  air  of  greater  prefumption,  than  a  fervant's 
intruding  his  opinion,  unafked,  upon  his  mailer  ;  but, 
at  the  fame  time,  there  are  certain  feafons  when  the 
real  danger  of  the  mailer  may  not  only  excufe,  but 
reader  laudable,  die  fervant's  orficioufnefs.     I  therefore 

flatter 


(      228      ) 

flatter  myfclf  that  the  Congrefs  will  receive,  with   indul- 
gence and  lenity,  the  opinion  I  fhall  offer,     The  fcheme 
of  difarming  fimply  the  Tories,  feems  to  mc  totally  inef- 
fectual •,  it  will  or.ly  embitter  their  minds  and  add  virus 
to  their  venom.     They  can,  and  will,  always  be  fuppli- 
ed  with  frefh  arms  by  the  enemy,     That  of  feizing   the 
molt  dangerous,  will,  I  apprehend,  from  the  yaguenefs  of 
the  inftruetion,  be  attended  with  fome  bad  confequen- 
ces,  and  can  anfwer  no  good  one.     It  opens  fo  wide  a 
door  for  partiality  and  prejudice,  to  the  different  congref- 
fes  and  committees  on  the  continent,  that  much  dilcov 
and  animofity  will  probable  enfue,  it  being  next  to  i 
pofTible  to  diftinguifh  who  arc,  and  who  are  not  the  mo 
dangerous.     The  plan  of   explaining  to   thefe  delude 
people  the  juftice  and  merits  of  the  American  caufe,  is', 
certainly  generous  andhumane  ;  but,  1  am  afraid,  will  be 
fruitlefs.     They  are  fo  rivetted  in  their  opinions,  that,  I 
am  perfuaded,  fhould  an   angel  defcend   from  heaven 
with  his   golden  trumpet,  and   ring  in    their  ears,  that 
their  conduct  was  criminal,  he  would  be  difregarded.     I 
had  lately  myfelf  an  mitance  of  their  infatuation,  which, - 
if  it  is  not  impertinent,  I  will  relate.     I  took  the  liberty, 
without  any  authority  but  the  conviction  of  the  neceflity, 
to    adminilter  a  very  itrong  oath  to  thofe  of  Rhode-Ifl- 
,and,  that  they  would  take  arms  in  defence  of  their  coun- 
try if  called  upon  by  the  voice  of  the  Congrefs.     To  this 
Colonel  Wanton,   and  others,  flatly  refufed  their  afTent ; 
to   take  arms  againft  their  fovereign  they  faid  was  too 
monftrous.     This  is  'not  a  crifis,  when  every  thing  is  at 
ftake,  to  be  over  corhplient  to  the  timidity  of  the  inha- 
bitants of  any  particular  fpot.     I  have  now  under  my 
command  a  very  refpectable  force  adequate  to  the  pur- 
pofe  of  fecuring  the  place,  and  purging   all  its  environs 
of  traitors,  on  which  fubject  I  iliall  expect,  with  impati- 
ence, the  determination  of  the  Congrefs  ;  their  orders  I 
hope  to  receive  before  or  immediately  on  my  arrival. 

This  inftant  the  inclofed  exprefs  from  the  provincial 
Congrefs  of  New-York,  was  delivered  into  my  hands  \ 
but  as  thcie  gentlemen  probably  are  not  full  apprized  of 

tj>e 


(      229      ) 

the  danger  hanging  over  their  heads,  as  I  have  received 
intelligence  from  camp,  that  the  fleet  is  failed,  and  that 
it  is  nece/Tary  to  urge  my  march,  I  mall  proceed  with, 
pne  divilion  of  the  forces  under  my  command'to  that 
city.  A  moment's  delay  may  he  fatal.  The  force  I 
Shall  carry  with  me  is  not  ftrong  enough  to  a&  offenfive- 
4y  j  but  juit  fulbcient  to  fecure  the  city  agair.ft  any  de- 
signs of  the  enemy.  If  this  is  to  give  umbrage,  if  the 
governor  and  captain  of  the  man  of  war  are  pleafed  to> 
conftrue  this  ftep  as  an  act  of  pofitive  hoftility,  if  they 
arc  to  prefcribe  what  number  of  your  troops,  and  what 
number  not,  are  to  enter  the  city,  all  I  can  fay  is,  that 
New- York  muft  be  confidered  as  the  minifter's  place, 
and  not  the  continent's. 

I  mull  now,  Sir,  beg  pardon  for  the  length  of  this 
letter,  and  more  fo,  for  the  prefumption  in  offering  (o 
freely  my  thoughts  to  the  Congrefs,  from  whom  it  is  my 
.duty  iimplv  to  receive  my  orders,  and  as  a  fervant  and 
•ioldier  itrictdyfo  obey,  which  none  can  do  with  greater 
ardour  and  affection,  than, 
Sir, 

Your  moll  obedient  humble  fervant, 
CHARLES  LEE. 
mht  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Efq.  Pref. 
of  the  Continental  Congrefs 


SfR,  New-Yoc;.,  Mr,rch  yJi,   .'7761 

I  RECEIVED  your  command?  on  Sundav  evening-* 
kndfhould  have  anfwered  it  immediately,  but  waited  for 
the  refult  of  an  application  J  had  made' to  "Water bury '3 
bid  Ward's  regiments,  requeuing  them  to  remain  here 
until  they  can  be  replaced  by  a  certain  number  of  troops 
from  Philadelphia,  and  the  Jerucs.  They  have  unani- 
'moully  confented  to  Hay  till  the  twenty-fifth  of  this 
mo:r  ,  which  is  a  fortnight  longer  than  the  term  they 
wer  entitled  for.  IJefqre  the  expiration  of  this  time, 
I  am  in  hopes  that  fonie  meafures  v.  ill  be  taken  by  the 
X  Congress 


(       23°      ) 

Congrefs  for  throwing  into  the  city,  its  environs,  and 
Long-Ifland,  a  force  fufiicient  to  tlifpute  the  ground  with 
any  number  of  troops  we  have  reafon  toexrect;  not 
that  I  would  imply  that  thefe  two.Coniiecticut  regiments 
remaining  here  would  be  able  to  prevent  the  landing  and 
lodging  themfelves  in  the  Ifland,  even  five  battalions  of 
the  enemy,  mould  they  choofe  to  attempt  it ;  but  thofe 
two  regiments  will  enable  us  at  leaf!  to  iay  the  foundation 
of  the  necefiary  works.  I  have  ordered  a  regiment  fr< 
the  Jerfies,  who  will  be  here  I  hope  in  a  few  days 
ihall  not,  Sir,  trouble  you  with  a  detail  of  our  intende 
works,  as  I  fhall  have  the  ppwer  of  paying  my  refpe 
inpei  ion  to    die  Congrefs  in   a  very  few  days,    for 

'  Thmfday  it  is  my  intention  to  fet  out.     I  am  in  very  litt 
pain  about  the  execution  of  what  we  have  concerted,  a 
it  is  committed  to  the  hands  of  Lord  Sterling  ,who  fhews" 
much  intelligence  and  activity.     As  this  place  will  pro- 
bably be  the  fcene  of  a  good  deal  of  action,   it  would  be 
prudent  to  add  fomething  to  their  prefent  flock  of  am- 

•  munition.  I  find  by  their  returns,  that  there  is  in  the 
whole  colony,  that  fent  up  to  Fort-Conftitution  included, 
five  tons  and  an  half. 

The  numerous  body  of  profefled  Tories  on  Long  and 
Staten-Iflands,  with  not  a  few  within  the  walls  of  the 
city,  is  a  moftalarmingconfideration  ;  themeafures  adopt- 
ed by  the  Provincial  Congrefs,  of  obliging  them  to  give 
bonds  as  a  fecurity  for  their  good  behaviour,  can  anlwer 
no  purpoie,  but  that  of  l-endering  them  more  bitter  and 
violent.  The  firlt  regiment  of  our  gracious  fovereign's- 
cutthroats  which  arrive  here  will  indubitably  cancel  thefe 
bonds.  I  am  well  allured,  indeed,  that  thefe  bonds  are 
made  a  public  joke  of  already,  by  the  worthy  gentlemen 
who  gave  them.  In  fhort,  the  friends  to  liberty  are  to  a 
man  convinced,  that  the  Tories  will  take  up  arms,  when 
encouraged  by  the  appearance  of  any  royal  troops.  The 
delicacy  of  our  fituation,  the  dangerous  crifis  of  affairs, 
have  therefore  determined  me  to  take  a  decifire  ftep, 
which  alone,  according  to  my  judgment,  can  fecure 
us :  1  have  propofed  to  oiler  to  thefe  people  a  ttft, drawn 

up 


I  (   23r   > 

up  in  fuch  terms,  that  refufal  or  confent  to  take  it  mud 
be  a  criterion  by  which  we  maybe  able  to  diflinguilh 
thole,  whofe  f words  are  whetted  to  plunge  into  the  vitals 
oi"  their  country,  and  whofe,  if  not  drawn  in  defence  of 
the  common  fights,  may  be  expected  to  remain  quietly 
in  their  fcabbards.  The  lirlt  I  have  directed  to  be  feized 
without  further  ceremony,  and  I  fhould  think  myfelf 
highly  criminal,  in  omitting  fo  falutary  a  Itep  before  it  is 
too  lite  ;  perhaps  I  judge  wrong  •,  if  I  do,  I  mult  myfelf 
take  the  fhame  of  lacing  reputed  weak,  r alb,  and  precipi- 
tate. The  intelligence  I  have  received,  from  General 
"Wafhington  will,  at  all  events,  jultily,  in  fume  meafure, 
my  difpenfing  with  forms. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpect, 

Your  moil  obedient  humble  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  his  Excellency  the  Pref.  of  the 
Continental  Congrefs. 


My  dear  sip,  WiilittmSbutSP,  Vr  I  T,!»  1 77^- 

I  HAVE  nothing  of  fufficient  importance  to  trouble 
the  Congrefs  with  ;  but  fhali  teaze  you  with  a  few  words  j 
I  am  exactly  in  the  fame  fituation  I  expected,  puzzled 
where  to  go  or  fix  myfelf,  from  an  uncertainly  of  the 
enemy's  delign  :  I  can  therefore  only  act  by  iurmife  ; 
the  general  opinion  is,  that  they  will  aim  at  this  part  of 
Virginia,  viz.  York  and  William  finish,  or  that  they 
will  fix  their  head  quarters  in  North  Carolina  :  it  has  been 
Wready  aflerted,  that  Mr.  Clinton  was  landed  with  one 
thoufand  five  hundred  men  at  Wilmington  ',  aleuer  from 
Brigadier  Howe,  dated  from  Edenton, -fiys,  that  it  is  be- 
lieved, but  not  ascertained.  I  wait  for  further  tntelligencej 
in  the  mean  time,  I  Ihall  employ  myfelf  in  rendering  this 
plaee  and  York,  as  inaeceiiible  as  pofhble  ;  for  it  is  my 
own  perfuafion,  that  they  will  endeavour  to  porlefsthem- 
felves  of  the  capital,  not  only  as  it  is  really  a  molt  tempt- 
ing and  advantageous  poft,  from  commanding  two  ri- 
vers, 


~3*     ) 

vers,  and  a  moft  abundant  country  ;  but  it  would  give  nrf 
air  of  fuperioruy  and  dignity  to  their  arms,  which  in  this- 
Have  country  might  be  attended  with  important  confe- 
tpiences,  by  the  impreifions  it  would  make  in  the  minds 
of  the  negroes.  I  wilh  we  had  a  couple  of  good  regi- 
ments more  in  South-Carolina,  it  would  then  be  per* 
haps  hors  infult.  The  apathy  of  this  province  ieems  to 
go pajjibus  aquisy  with  that  of  lbme  other  provinces,  not- 
withiLanding  the  perfuafion  and  afluranees  of  all  the  of-' 
ficers,  that  the  Tories  about  Norfolk  will  moft  certainly 
repair  to  the  King's  ftandard,  and  have  propofed  means 
of  fecuring  them  ;  they  fay,  fuch  means  would  be  violent 
and  cruel.  In  lhort,  as  your  affairs  profper,  the  timidity, 
of  the  fenatorial  part  of  the  continent,  great  and  fmall, 
grows  and  extends  itfelf.  By  the  eternal  God,  unlefs 
you  declare  yourfelves  independent,  eftablifh  a  more 
certain  and  fixed  legiflature  than  that  of  a  temporary  cour- 
tefy  of  the  people,  you  richly  deferve  to  be  enilaved, 
and  I  think  it  far  fro:n  impoilible  that  it  fhould  be  your 
lot  ;  as  without  a  more  fyftematical  intercourfe  with 
France  and  Holland,  we  cannot,  we  have  not  the  means 
of  carrying  on  the  war. 

Adieu, 

Yours,  &c. 

C.  LEE. 
To  Edw.  Rutledge,Efq 
Member  of  the  Continental  Comrrefs. 


StR,  Williamfburgh,  April  5th,  1776, 

THEfubjecl:  of  this  letter  appearing  to  me  of  exceed- 
ing importance,  I  have  refolved  to  difpatch  an  exprels  to 
inform  you,  that  the  Roebuck,  a  king's  (hip  of  44  guris, 
has  for  fome  time  left  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  and,  as  we 
hear,  is  now  lyiug  of  the  Bay  of  Delaware,  with  a  de- 
fign  to  intercept  the  continental  fleet.  At  Norfolk  remain 
the  Liverpool,  a  30  gun  frigate  •,  the  Otter  Hoop  of  14 
guns,  and    fome    tenders  i  .together  with  a   Hup,  Lord 

%  Dunmore 


(     233     ) 

•Dunmore  on  board,  of  little  or  no  force  ;  and  a  number 
of  vefieis  belonging  to  the  Tories,  with  valuable  cargoes 
and  prizes,  amounting,  by  a  reafonable  eftimate,  to  an 
hundred  and  forty  thoufand  pounds  fterling.  If  Mr. 
Hopkins  is  at  Cape- Fear,  would  it  not  be  a  good  meafure 
tojnform  him,  how  fure  a  prey  thefe  fhips  at  Norfolk, 
with  their  immenfe  treaiure  of  goods,  arms  ammunition 
and  other  military  ftores  would  be  to  him,  where  he  to 
come  into  the  Capes  of  Virginia  ?  It  is  not  probable  our 
fleet  can  keep  the  lea  much  longer,  a  number  of  Britifli 
fhips  of  war  being  expected  foon  on  the  American  coaftj 
this  lafl  mentioned  ftroke  would  then  be  a  glorious  con- 
clufion  ;  and  if  it  fliould  be  necefiary  afterwards  to  keep 
in  a  fafe  harbour,  by  erecting  a  battery  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river  leading  to  Norfolk,  the  navy  of  Great  Britain 
might  be,  from  the  nature  of  the  navigation,  prevented 
from  getting  up.  I  am  extremely  anxious  to  know  the 
ftate  of  your  province,  and  of  the  (late,  number,  and 
quality  of  your  troops  ;  any  alhflance  which  can  be  af- 
forded vou  by  this  province,  as  far  as  depends  on  me, 
you  may  command.  I  fhould  have  fet  out  before  this, 
for  your  province,  but  the  confufion,  dil'order,  and  defi- 
ciencies of  Virginia,  oblige  me  to  pals  a  few  more  days 
in  my  prefent  quarters. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpci  t, 

Your  mod  obedient  humble  lervant, 

C.  LEE. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Pref.  of  the  Council 
of  Safety,  North- Carolina. 


Pear  Sik,  W  LI:a  nlborgh,  April  6th,  177c. 

AS  I  know  not  to  whom  I  can  addrefs  this  molt  im" 
portant  note,  with  fo  much  propriety  and  allurance  of 
Luccefs  as  to  yourfelf,  this  crifis  will  not  admit  of  cere- 
mony and  procraftination  j  I  (hall,  therefore,  irregularly 
addrefs  you  in  the  language  and  with  the  fpirit  of  one 
bold  determined  free  citizen  to  another ;  and  conjure 
X  2  you, 


(     234     ) 

you,  as  you  value  the  liberties  and  rights  of  the  commu- 
nity of  which  vou  are  a  member,  not  to  lofe  a  moment, 
and  in  my  name,  if  my  name  is  of  confequence  enough, 
to  direct  the  commanding  officer  of  your  troops  at  An- 
napolis,  immediately  to  fcize  the  perlbn  of  governor 
Eden  ;  the  fin  and  blame  be  on  »ny  head.  I  will  anlwcr 
for  all  to  the  Cangrefs.  TJie  jultice  and  neoeflity  oftlie 
meafure  will  be  belt  explained  by  the  packet,  tranfmitted 
to  you  by  the  Committee  oi  Safety  from  this  place. — 
God  Almighty  give  us  wifdom  and  vigour  in  this  hour  of 
trial- 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours,  mod  affectionately, 

CHARLES  LEE. 

To  Samuel  Purviance,  Efq. 
Chairman  of  the  Committee. 


Sir,  tyTili"aralfmrgri;  April  8th,  1770. 

NOT  only  propriety  and  decency,  but  an  earncil  de- 
fne  to  aft  in  concert  with  fo  refpectable  a  body  as  the 
Committee  of  fafety,  enjoin  me  to  lay  before  them  my 
thoughts,  on  fome  meafures  neceflai  y  for  the  defence  and 
very  being  of  the  colonw 

After  having  confidered  the  number  and  quality  of 
your  troops,  the  itate  and  condition  of  your  arms,  artil- 
lery, and  ordinance  apparatus,  the  weaknefs  and  difad- 
vantages  you  labour  under  from  the  numerous  inter- 
fering rivers,  the  multitude  of  your  flaves,  8cc.  I  fup- 
po'e  to  myfelf  that  the  enemy,  will  make  this  province 
their  immediate  object  ;  and  fmce  the  defeat  of  their 
fchem'es  in  North-  Carolina,  by  Colonel  Cafwell,  it  is  the 
molt  natural  fuppofition.  I  fay,  Sir,  after  having  foun- 
dered your  ftrength  and  weaknefs,  no  circumftance  ap- 
pears to  mc  fo  ferioufly  alarming  as  the  difpofiti'on  and 
Ctuation  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  lower  counties,  Nor- 
folk, 


(     235     ) 

folk,  and  Princcfs  Ann  ;  but  th.it  I  might  not  reft  en- 
tirely on  my  own  opinion,  I  have  called  together  fome 
of  the  field  officers  who  are  bed  acquainted  with  that 
didric"t,  and  they  unanimoufly  agree,  that  it  will  be  dif- 
ficult, if  not  impoffible,  to  iccure  and  prtlcrve  the  pro- 
vince, unlets  theft  inhabitants,  thus  daugerouily  difpo- 
fed,  are  removed  from  the  very  ipot  where  they  can  do 
iuch  infinite  mifchief.  I  am  feniible,  Sir,  that  their  re- 
moval mud  be  attended  with  very  conliderable  difficul- 
ties, and  perhaps  much  didrtis  to  individuals  j  but  when 
the  preservation  and  being  of  the  province,  if  not  of  the 
whole  continent,  are  at  Hake,  were  thefe  difficulties  and 
diitrcfles  a  thoufand  times  greater,  they  mud  be  fubmit- 
ed  to.  I  am  in  hopes,  therefore,  that  the  gentlemen  of 
the  Committee  will  immediately  deviie  fome  means  i'ov 
removing  thefe  people,  as  well  as  their  dock  :  at  lead 
their  wives  and  children  fliould  be  carried  to  a  place  of 
fecurity,  as  hodages  for  the  good  behaviour  of  the  huf- 
Dands  and  fathers.  I  fhould  be  extremely  forry  to  find 
ni)  ii.  If  under  the  neceffity  of  dedroying  -ill  their  cattle, 
'llorcs,  and  granaries,  and  forcing  the  inhabitants,  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  from  their  homes  ;  but  unlefs  then- 
removal  can  be  accompliihed  by  fome  other  means,  I  ihall 
be  condrained  to  thefe  harih  methods  ;  as  otherwife,  I 
cannot  be  anfwerable  for  the  execution  of  the  important 
trud  committed  to  my  hands. 
1  am,  Sir, 

With  the  greated  refptcr, 

1    Your  mod  obedient  humble  fervent, 
CHARLES  LEE. 
To  die  Hon.  the  Pref.  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety. 


SrR.  Williaralburgri,  April  19th,  1776. 

THE  dilagreeable  uncertainty  I  have  been  in,  of  the 

enemies'  deiigns,  from  the   circumdance   of  their   being 

able 


C    *3<5    ) 

able  to  fly  in  their  fhips  from  one  fpot  to  another,  hatl 
kept  me  at  Williamfburgh.  It  is  evident  that  their  ori- 
nal  intention  was  againft  North-Carolina,  but  the  ap- 
parently total  overthrow  of  their  whole  fdieme  by  Colo- 
nel Cafwell's  victory,  makes  it  more  probable  that  they 
will  bend  their  courfe  to  fome  other  quarter  ;  whether  to 
this  province,  or  South-Carolina,  it  is  impofliibleto  divine. 
I  am  myfelf  more  inclined  to  think  that  this  will  be  their1 
object,  as  the  numerous  interfering  navigable  waters 
prefent  them  fuch  fuperior  advantages;  though,  at  the 
fame  time,  I  confefs  myfelf  in  great  pain  for  South -Ca- 
rolina ;  the  force  in  that  province  teems"  alarmingly  fmall. 
I  wifh  I  could  afford  to  detach  from  hence  at  leaft  three 
battalions  ;  but  neither  our  numbers  of  men,  the  ftate 
and  condition  of  our  arms,  nor  the  vaft  extent  of  this 
province  open  to  attack,  will  admit  of  the  thought.  If 
Pennfylvania  could  fpare  three  or  four  battalions  for  the 
defence  of  Virginia,  Virginia  or  North-Carolina  might 
detach  the  fame  number  to  South-Carolina ;  and  as  the 
army  which  was  employed  in  the  blockade  of  Bofton  is 
now  fet  at  liberty,  I  fhould  imagine  this  force  might  be 
afforded  us. 

We  are  fo  extremely  deficient  in  arms,  that  I  have  been 
under  the  neceflity  of  fending  an  officer  into  the  back 
parts  of  the  country  to  purchafe  all  the  rifles  he  can  pro- 
cure for  the  continental  fervice.  The  arrangement  I 
have  made  of  arming  two  companies  of  each  battalion 
with  fpears,  will  render  mufkets  and  bayonets  lefs  ne- 
cefTary  ;  and  the  eafe  I  find  in  reconciling  the  men  to 
thefe  kind  of  arms,  is  a  flattering  fymptom  of  their  fpirit. 
The  price  of  thefe  sifles,  I  am  told,  will  be  five  pounds 
each  j  but  as  the  article  of  cartouches  and  bayonets  will 
be  faved,  upon  the  whole,  they  will  not  be  more,  if  fo 
expenfive. 

The  defence  and  fecurity  of  the  capital  rivers,  with 
their  creeks,  is  an  objedt  of  fo  great  importance,  that  I 
have  thought  it  neeeffary  to  direct  as  great  a  number  of 
half  gallies  as  pofhble,  to  be  conftrudted  with  the  utmoft 
expidition  ;  but  as  the  carpenters  and  other  artificers  in 

this 


(     *37     J 

this  country  are  fo  lazy  a  race  of  mortals,  that  it  is  in  vain 
to  expect  any  fruits  from  their  labours,  unlefs  there  is  n 
Coercive  power  over  them,  I  thought'it  the  fureft  anil  i.i- 
fell  method  to  eftablilh  two  companies  of  carpenters  oii 
the  fame  terms  with  thofe  in  the  Jerfies  ;  the  mea- 
furc  is  absolutely  rieceflaryj  and  I  flutter  myfelf  it  will 
prove  ccconomy. 

The  nature  of  the  f£rvice  here  is  fuch,  the  force  not 
being  collected  into  one  point,  but  fcatteved  in  fragments, 
that  a  greater  number  of  fubordiriate  ftaff  officers  are 
requifite  than  in  the  Northern  and  Eaftern  armies.  I  have 
therefore  taken  the  liberty,  till  the  pleafure  of  the  Con- 
grefs  is  further  known,  to  appoint  a  few  who  could  not 
be  difpenfed  with  :  inclofed  is  a  lift  of  them. 

The  Committee  of  Safety,  I  find^  Sir,  had  notapprized 
you  of  their  having  already  raifed  a  company  of  artille- 
ry, and  appointed  omcers.  Captain  'lines,  who  was  pla- 
ced at  the  head  of  it,  though  he  prcfefles  himfelf  utter- 
ly ignorant  of  this  particular  branch,  is  a  man  of  great 
zeal,  capacity  and  merit ;  and  as  thete  is  a  vacant  majo- 
rity in  the  ninth,  or  captain  Flemming's  regiment,  I  have 
ventured  to  appoint  him  to  act  in  that  ftation,  in  hopes 
that  the  Cr>ne?efs  will  cohiirm  Ills  c^rI'mifT:^n»  A  body 
of  horfe  is  zfine  qua  non  in  a  country  clrcUmftanced  like 
this  *,  I  take  the  liberty  of  enclofing  you  an  addrefs  I 
pubiiflied  to  the  voung  gentlemen  of  this  colony  on  the 
fubjeel,  and  wifh  it  may  meet  with  your  approbation. 

I  (hall  make  Monfieur  Arundel  accountable  for  the 
fixtv  dollars,  but  at  the  fame  time  beg  leave  to  fubr.it  to 
the  confideration  of  the  Congvefs,  whether  the  ex\  .  nces 
of  his  journey  fhould  not  be  allowed  ;  they  amount  to 
thirty  dollars  :  Indeed  they  pay  of  the  artillerv  officers  ana 
engineers  is  to  wretched,  that  I  do  not  fee  any  chance  of 
procuring  men  fit  for  the  fervice  on  the  terms ;  and  if 
they  are  procured,  they  cannot  pollibly  fubfift,  uniefs  the 
expences  of  their  frequent  journeys  are  paid  ;  for  they 
are  obliged,  from  the  nature  of  their  bufinefs,  to  make 
more  journeys  than  other  officers,  and  not  in  corps,  but 

ungly  i 


C     *3«     ) 

flngly  ;  I  have  been  obliged  to  fubfift  Baro,1.  Maflenbur-g, 
a.s  likwife  to  furnifh  Captain  Smith  who  is  now  at  York,- 
with  money  for  his  expences. 

I  am.  Sir,  with  the  greateft:  refpe£t, 

Your  mod  obedient  humble  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE* 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Pref. 
of  the  Continental  Congrefs. 


8m,  WilliamAurgh,  April  19th,  177^. 

AS  I  am  ah  entire  ftranger  to  the  character,  integri- 
ty, and  abilities  of  individuals  in  this  country,  I  mud 
requeft  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee  will  appoint,  or 
recommend  pofitively,  a  proper  perfon  as  commiflary. 
He  mould  be  a  man  of  activity  without  doubt ;  but  his 
integrity  is  ftill  more  important,  as  he  has  it  in  his  power, 
if  inclined,  to  rob  the  public  rrioft  horribly. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greatefl  refpeel, 
Y'our  moft  obedient  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
John  Page,  Efq.  V.  P. 
©f  the  Committee. 


Sir,  Suffolk,  April  23d,  »77^ 

YOU  are  to  march  this  night  to  Brickels  :  Leave  the 
entrenching  tools  under  the  care  of  the  commanding  of- 
ficer of  that  poft,  with  directions  to  fortify,  as  well  as  h< 
is  able,  a  poll:  capable  of  containing  three  hundred  mei: 
To-morrow  you  are  to  proceed  to  Portfmouth  with 
the  waggons  ;  you  are  to  poft  your  party  in  fuch  an  a 
vantageous  fituation,  that  no  infult  from  the  enemy  ca: 
be  apprehended.  You  are  to  fecure  Shcdden's,  and  ISlltc 
el's  eifedls,  and  fend  them  up  immediately.  You  an 
to  fecure  the  perlbns  of  Jarvia,  Muter,  and  Mitchel, 
well  as  their  eiYe£ts  ;  Mrs.  Grimes,  with  her  eifects,  a 
like  wife  immediately  to  be  lent  up.     You  are  to  procu 


(     -39    ) 

the  bcft  intelligence  what  men  are  on  board  Lord  Dun- 
more's  fleet,  who  have  families  at  Portfmouth  ;  the  wives 
and  children  of  thefe  men  are  to  be  fent  up  to  Suffolk 
immediately.  You  are  to  apprize  die  reft  of  the  inha- 
bitants that  they  muft  quit  Portfmouth  in  five  days  ;  that 
waggons  mall  be  allowed  Tor  their  beds,  cloaths,  and  ab- 
folute  ncceffary  cooking  utenfils ;  their  tables,  chairs, 
and  other  cooking  utcnuls,  cannot  be  carried  off  at  the 
public  expence. 

All  the  negroes  capable  of  bearing  arms,  to  be  fecured 
immediately,  and  fent  up  to  Suffolk.  Mr.  Bownas  and 
Company's  property  is  to  be  collected  and  brought  out 
of  their  prclent  dangerous  fituation. 

You  are  to  order  any  detachment  you  fhall  meet  with, 
from  Colonel  Fipp's  corps,  immediately  to  return  to 
their  command. 

CHARLES  LEE,  Major  General, 
To  Col.  Mughlenburg. 


Sir,  Williainfburgh,  May  4th,  1776^. 

THE  committee  will,  I  hope,  excufe  my  not  having 
yefterday  made  a  report  to  them  (as  I  think  it  my  duty) 
of  every  tranfaclion  which  is  not  merely  military;  but 
they  were  fo  much  employed  in  the  bufmefs  of  the  Prin- 
cely Ann  petition,  that  I  thought  it  better  not  to  enter 
on  the  fubject.  As  I  found  that  the  inhabitants  of 
Portfmouth  had  univerfally  taken  the  oath  to  Lord  Dun- 
more,  and  as  that  town  was,  I  believe,  juftly  confidered 
as  the  great  channel  through  which  his  Lord  (hip  received 
the  moit  exacl  and  minute  intelligence  of  all  our  motions 
and  defigns,  I  thought  it  incumbent  on  me,  and  agreea- 
ble to  the  fpirit  of  your  in(lru£tious,  to  remove  the  peo- 
ple without  exception  ;  for  even  the  women  and  chil- 
dren had  learnt  the  art,  and  pra&ifcd  with  addrefs,  the 
office  of  fpies.  A  confiderable  quantity  of  very  valuable 
articles  were  found  in  the  houfes  of  Mrs.  Sprowle,  Good- 
rich, and  Nuil  Jamkfon,  fuch  as  molaffes,  lalt,  and  other 

things 


(       240      ) 

things  much  wanted  for  the  public.  A  lift  of  thcfe  ar- 
ticles will  be  made  out  by  the  officer  commanding  the 
party,  and  laid  before  your  board. 

As  the  town  of  Portfmouth  will  afford  fo  convenient 
Shelter  and  quarters,  to  refrefh  the  enemy,  on  a  iuppofi- 
tion  that  they  make  this  part  of  the  world  their  object, 
it  would  perhaps  be  politic  to  deftroy  it  totally  ;  but 
the  houfes  of  ibme  of  the  mod  notorious  traitors  I 
thought  absolutely  neceffary  to  demoiifh,  in  hopes  of  inti- 
midating the  neighbourhood  from  trifling  any  longer, 
Mid  flying  in  the  face  of  your  ordinances  ;  for  it  is  incon- 
ceivable, unlefs  I  have  been  grofsly  misinformed,  into 
what  barefaced,  open  intercourfe  with  the  enemy  they 
had  been  encouraged,  by  no  examples  having  been  made. 
Sprowle's,  Goodrich's,  JamieSon'sand  Skeddan's  houfes 
were  on  this  principle  deftroyed  j  the  laft,  Skeddan, 
now  a  prifoner  at  Suffolk,  accufed,  and,  I  believe,  con- 
victed, of  having  been  on  board  Lord  Dunmore's  fleet, 
Since  his  acquittal  by  the  committee  of  Norfolk.  As  wo 
had  undoubted  intelligence  that  the  fleet  and  army  of  Lord 
Dumrjore  were  amply  and  regularly  Supplied  with  provi- 
sions and  refrefhments  of  every  kind,  from  that  tract  of 
country,  lying  between  the  Southern  and  Eaftern  branch- 
es, as  well  as  from  Tanner's-Creek,  notwithstanding  the 
poiitive  ordinances  levelled  againft  this  Species  of  trea- 
son ;  and  as  from  a  habit  of  any  fort  of  action,  be  it  ever 
fo  heinous,  he  who  commits  it,  infallibly,  in  the  end, 
perSuadcs  himfelf  there  is  no  crime  in  it  at  a',1  :  fo  thcfe 
worthies  not  only  every  day  openly  and  conltantly  carri- 
ed on  this  dangerous  commerce,  but,  it  ii  laid,  juftilied  it 
in  their  conversation  ;  it,  therefore,  Sir,  in  my  opinion, 
as  well  as  of  the  other  officers,  and  the  committee  of 
gentlemen  from  Suffolk,  became  indifpenfably  neceffarv 
to  take  fome  vigorous  fleps  on  the  Spot,  which  might 
intimidate  the  whole  knot  of  thcfe  mifcreants  from  their 
pernicious  traffic. 

A  Mr.  Hopkins,  infamous  for  his  principles  and  con- 
duct, and  who  has  a  fon,  now  a  foldier  in  Dunmore's 
army,  was  fortunately  the  firlt  man  detected ;  he  was 

Seized 


(     24i      ) 

feized  in  his  return  from  the  fleet.  He  prevaricated  and 
perjured  himfelf  very  handfomely  on  the  occafion  ;  but 
at  length  the  fact  was  proved,  and  he  confeffed .     The 

.  fentiments  of  the  committee  and  other  officers  concur- 
ring with  my  own,  we  determined,  after  having  feized 
his  furniture,  to  fet  his  houfe  on  fire  in  his  presence  : 
This  ftep  was  not  quite  confiftent  with  the  regular  mode 
of  proceeding  :  but  there  are  occafions,  when  the  necef- 

i  fity  will  excufe  deviations,  and  this  I  hope  will  appear  to 
the  committee  to  be  one  of  thofe  occafions.  I  mult  here, 
Gentlemen,  beg  leave  to  repeat  my  aliurances,  that  if 
ever  in  my  military  capacity,  I  lhould  fall  into  any  mea- 
fure,  which  is  more  properly  within  the  province  of  the 
civil,  it  will  entirely  proceed  from  miftake,  or  inadver- 
tency, never  from  aefign  j  and  upon  thefe  occafions,  fa 
Far  from  being  offended  by  the  admonition,  or  even  re- 
primand, of  your  committees,  I  fhali  think  myfelf  obliged 
to  them. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpect, 
Your  moft  obedient  humble  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Edmund  Pendleton,  Prcf.  of  the 
Committee  of  Safer-,-. 


Sir  Willi&afriburgh,  May  yth,  '  J 

I  FIND  the  part  I  have  acted  in  the  bufinefs  of  Mr. 
Eden,  has  given  great  umbrage  to  the  council  of  Miry- 
land  5  I  take  the  liberty  of  cnclofing  a  copy  of  my  letter 
to  that  board  on  the  occafion  •,  as  I  hope  it  will  appear  to 
the  Congrefs,  a  full  explanation  and  juflification  of  my 
conduct,  I  flull  not  trouble  them  any  more  on  the  fub- 
jeet. 

•  Five  tranfports  with  troops  ar£  arrived  at  Cape-Fear  •, 
I  fhall  therefore  fet  out  on  Thurfday  for  Wilmington, 
by  the  way  of  Hallifax.  When  We  confuler,  Sir,  the 
vail  extent  of  the  vulnerable  parts  of  this  country  ;  t'ae 
numerous  navigable  intafecling  waters,  the  multitude  of 

Y  Oaves j 


(      242      ) 

flaves  ;  that  we  have  not  more  than  five  thoufand  regiu 
lars  fit  for  duty  in  the  province  ;  that  of  theie  five  thou- 
fand  not  more  than  three  are  properly  armed  ;  that  to 
arm  them,  defective  as  they  are,  the  province  has  been 
drove  to  the  neceifity  of  difarming  the  minute  men  ;  I 
fay,  Sir,  that  when  thefe  circumftances  are  confidcred, 
I  ihall  appear,  I  hope,  reafonable,  in  entreating  the  Con- 
grefs  to  fpare  us,  if  poflible,  fome  battalions,  and  of  thofe 
battalions  which  are  belt  armed.  If  indeed  our  minute 
men  were  properly  furnifhed  with  mulkets  and  ammuni- 
tion ;  if  our  rivers  were  already  fecured  in  the  manner 
I  piopofe  ;  I  fhould  think  myfelf  capable  of  baffling  all 
their  attempts  with  our  prefcnt  force  ;  but  fituated  as, 
we  are.,  my  anxiety  for  the  common  fafety  obliges  me  to 
folicit  a  reinforcement.  A  letter  from  one  of  your  mem- 
bers informs  me,  that  five  thoufand  blankets,  and  five 
thoufand  pair  of  (hoes,  are  on  the  road  for  the  ufe  of 
this  army  ;  they  were  much  wanted  ;  the  number  is, 
I  believe,  fufficient.  "We  are  as  I  obferved  before, 
wretchedly  in  want  of  medicines,  as  well  as  of  a  direc- 
tor to  our  hofpital.  Doctor  M'Clurg  is  a  very  able 
"man,  and  univerfally  efteemed,  qualified  for  the  office  » 
the  pay  of  the  regimental  furgeons  eftablifhed  by  Con- 
grefs  is  fo  low,  that  it  is  in  this  part  of  the  world,  where 
the  common  country  practice  of  furgery  is  fingularly 
lucrative,  impoflible  to  find  capable  men,  who  will  ac- 
cept j  but  I  am  in  hopes  that  the  convention  will  make 
fuch  additions- out  of  the  provincial  puri'e,  as  to  enable  us 
to  fill  the  commiffions  with  proper  and  competent  per- 
sons :  Now  I  am  on  the  fubjecl  of  pay,  Sir,  I  muft  beg 
leave  to  urge  the  neceifity  of  confiderably  increafmg  that 
cf  the  engineers.  It  is  impoflible  that  men,  qualified  for 
this  important  office,  fhould  be  prevailed  upon  to  ferve 
on  fuch  miferable  terms.  You  have  no  American  en- 
gineers ;  they  mull  of  courfe  be  foreigners  ;  and  fo- 
reigners expect,  in  their  language,  de  quoi  maiiger>  that 
is  fomething  which  will  enable  them  to  eat  and  drink. 
Twenty  dollars  per  month  will  not  enable  them  to  eat 
and  drink,  and  wear  linnen,  or  indeed  any  kind  of  cloaths: 

befides, 


^    2*43    ) 

befules,  it  mud  be  considered,  that  thefe  gentlemen  are 
obliged,  by  the  nature  of  their  duty,  to  make  more  jour- 
neys than  any  other  officers  ;  that  horfes  muft  be  pur- 
chafed  and  fed  ;  that  the  expencesof  travelling  in  theft; 
Southern  provinces  are  very  high  ;  from  tliefe  reafons* 
and  many  others,  the  pay  of  engineers  ought  to  be,  as  it 
is  in  all  other  fervices,  greater  than  that  of  other  oiE 
Upon  the  whole,  Sir,  I  really  do  not  think  that  they 
ought  or  can  do  with  lefs  than  forty  dollars  per  month, 
and  rations  at  leaft  for  their  horfes.  On  more  moderate 
terms  I  am  perfuaded  you  cannot  procure  men  equal  to 
the  tafk  :  as  the  corps  is  dittinct,  and  not  numerous,  thw 
neceffarv  addition  of  pay  will  be  an  expence  beneath  the 
confideration  of  Congrefs. 

Colonel  Richard  Henry  Lee  informs  me,  that  it  wa? 
not  the  intention  of  the  Congrefs  that  Captain  Innes's 
company  fhould  be  reduced,  to  make  way  for  Arundel'.-  ; 
but  they  fhould  both  be  eftablUheck  I  think,  Sir,  ir  would 
be  a  ufelcfs  expence.  Captain  Innes,  who  muft,  I  am 
fure,  be  an  excellent  officer  in  any  other  department,  pro- 
feffed  himfelf  ignorant  of  this  branch;  Lis  officers 
equally  ignorant :  Arundel  has  eot  pofleffion  of 
company,  and  by  his  a&ivit)  awledge  \ 

perfuaded,  make  them  fit  for  fervice.     Indeed  to  e 
blifh  an  artillery  company,  captain,  Subalterns,  and 
commiffioned  officers,  being  entirely  compoled  of  ri 
ces,  can  anfwer  no  end  or  purpofe.    It  is  my  opinion, 
therefore,  Sir,  that  inftead  ©f  th-.i'*  two  c<  pro- 

pofed,  that  the  addition  of  thirty  or  forty  men  to  Cap- 
tain Arundel's,  and  two  fubaltern  officers,  will  not  ( 
be  better,  but  that   it  promifes  more  advantage  to  the 
fervice. 

As  I  am  on  the  fubjecr.  of  Captain  Arundel,  I  beg 
leave  to  remind  the  Congrefs  of  what  I  mentioned  on 
the  fu'ijetl  of  his  cxpenccs  on  the  road  :  There  is  one 
circumftance  of  which,  Sir,  I  could  wifn  to  be  afcertain- 
ed,  it  is  the  cxpence  of  the  defence  of  thefe  rivers,  I 
is,  the  conftruciion  of  row  gallie,;,  floating  batteries,  Sec. 
to  be  brought  to  the  account  of  the  continent  or  of  the 

province  ? 


(     244     ) 

pi  evince  ?  I  wifh  to  be  informed  on  this  head  :  if  it  is 
at  the  expence  of  the  latter,  I  {hall  regularly  propofe  to 
the  Convention,  or  Committee  of  Safety,  every  fcheme 
which  may  be  attended  with  expence  before  it  is  entered 
upon.  If  the  quarter-mafter-general,  or  his  deputies, 
when  they  dipatch  any  teams  from  Philadelphia  with" 
powder,  or  ether  neceiiarics,  were  to  purchafe  the  hovfes  I 
throughout,  for  the  continental  ufe,  inftead  of  hiring 
them,  the  faving  would  be  ccnfiderable  ;  for  in  this 
country  the  hire  is  intolerably  dear ;  fo  great  indeed,. 
that  I  have  ventured  to  order  a  number  of  teams  to  be 
purchafed. 

I  have  juft  received  a  vague  return  of  the  forces  of 
North-Carolina  ;  of  their  powder  and  cannon  •,  it  does 
not  appear  that  they  have  effective  regulars  properly 
armed,  more  than  two  thoufand ;  of  powder  than  two 
ions  and  an  half;  and  as  to  cannon,  they  are  almoft  to- 
tally deftitute.  As  the  enemy's  advanced  guard,  if  I 
may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,  is  actually  arrived,  I  muft,  I  can- 
7iot  avoid  detaching  the  ftrongeft  battalion  we  have  to 
their  affiftance  ;  but,  I  own,  I  tremble  at  the  fame  time 
nt  the  thoughts  of  ftripping  this  province  of  any  part  of 
its  inadequate  force.  I  am  puzzled  how  to  direct  my 
motions  from  the  uncertainty  of  the  enemies'  plan,  but 
not  difphrited,  as  I  am  confident  that  the  Congrefs  will 
afford  me  every  relief  in  their  power,  and  am  not  in  ths. 
leaft  diffident  of  the  courage  and  zeal  of  the  men  and 
officers.  I  have,  as  yet,  heard  nothing  of  Mr.  Stabler 
the  engineer  ;  I  ought,  in  fact,  to  have  at  leaft  half  a 
dozen  ;  for  we  have  a  variety  of  pofts  to  throw  up,  and 
there  is  not  a  man  or  officer  in  the  army  that  knows  the 
difference  between  a  chevaitx  tie  frieze  and  a  cabbage- 
garden.  I  wifh  the  Congrefs  would  indulge  me  with 
Mr.  Smith,  whom  I  know  to  be  an  able  and  active  man. 
I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpe£t, 
Your  moft  obedient, 

Humble  Servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Efq. 

Pref.  of  the  Continental  Congrds.  Sir, 


(     245     ) 
Sir,  Wiiliamftmrgh,  May  9th,  1 

AS  I  am  obliged,  by  the  arrival  of  the  enemy,  to  re- 
pair to  North-Carolina,  and  am  not  lefs  prompted  by  my 
zeal  and  affe&ion  for  this  province,  than  obliged  by  my 
duty,  to  take  every  precaution  for  its  fafety  before  my 
departure  :  on  this  principle  I  beg  leave  to  lay  before  the 
Convention  the  following  meafures,  which  I  conceive  to 
be  neceflary : 

1  ft.  To  dcvife  fome  means  for  eftablifhing  a  corps  of 
cavalry  ;  without  which,  an  army  is  fo  extremely  defec- 
tive in  every  part  of  the  world,  and  in  none  more  than  in 
this,  for  reafons  which  it  might  be  tedious  to  enumerate. 

2dly.  Without  delay  to  order  fome  able  pilots  of  every 
river,  to  examine  accurately  the  narrowed  part  of  the 
channel  of  each  river  ;  what  is  the  nature  of  the  fhoals 
-which  form  thefe  channels  •,  whether  they  are  folid,  firm 
(and,  gravel,  or  rock  ;  what  is  the  diftance  of  the  neareft 
part  of  the  channel  from  either  more  •,  what  is  the  nature 
of  the  fhore  ;  whether  it  is  high  or  low  ;  for  I  am  "fan- 
guine  enough  to  hope,  when  thefe  circumllanccs  are 
afcertained,  the  navigation  of  mod  of  the  rivers  may  be 
iluit  up  to  the  enemy,  by  means  of  batteries,  either  float- 
ing or  fixed. 

3<ily.  As  thefe  purpofes  cannot  be  effected  without  a 
large  body  of  carpenters,  fmiths,  and  artificers  of  every 
fort,  to  eltablilh  fome  companies  of  them,  fubje£r,  to  th  : 
military  laws  •,  for  without  a  coercive  power,  it  is  diffi- 
cult in  this  part  of  the  world  to  prevail  on  them  to  work. 

4thly.  As  I  underftand  there  are  prodigious  docks  of 
fheep  and  cattle  on  the  iflands  near  the  eadem-flioie, 
and  as  my  authority  does  net  extend  to  whatever  concerns 
property,  that  you  will  order  immediately  all  this  ftock 
to  be  tranfported  to  the  continent ;  and  if  this  is  imprac- 
ticable, to  kill  them,  as  othcrwife  they  mud  indifputably 
•fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

5thly.  As  the  caftern  counties  are,  from  their  great 
abundance  of  all  the  neceffaries  of  life,  fo  tempting  ob- 
jects to  the  incurhons  of  the  enemy,  and  as  I  underdand 
there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  procuring  gocd  men,  J. 
Y  2  would 


(     *4*'  ) 

would  humbly  pvopofe  to  the  Convention,  to  augment 
Colonel  Fie  mining's  regiment  to  the  fame  ftrength  of 
numbers  with  the  other  battalions. 

I  mull  now,  Sir,  beg  leave  to  mention  to  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Convention,  a  very  important  matter  of  con- 
federation ■,  no  lefs  than  the  prcfervation  of  the  lives  of 
our  foldiers.  The  continental  allowance  to  furgeons 
and  furgeon's-mates  of  the  regiments  is  fo  miferably 
fmall,  and,  at  the  fame  time,  the  common  country  prac- 
tice of  furgeons  is  fo  very  lucrative  in  this  province,  that 
it  is  not  poilible  to  find  men  qualified  for  the  ftation  who 
will  accept;  and  as  I  cannot  venture  to  propofe,  to  the 
Continental  Congrefs,  the  increafe  of  the  pay  of  the 
furgeons  of  the  whole  army,  merely  becaufe  this  increafe 
is  necefTary  in  my  divifion,  I  muft  fubmit  it  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Convention,  whether  fuch  an  addition,  as 
to  bring  up  the  pay  of  thefe  gentlemen  to  the  original 
provincial  ordinance,  will  not  be  money  well  and  necef- 
farily  expended. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpecl, 
Yours, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Edmund  Pendleton,  Efq. 

Pref.  of  the  Convention. 


Dtat,  Sir,  Williamfburgh,  March  25th,  1776. 

I  KNOW  not  whether,  in  the  whole  courfe  of  my 
life,  I  ever  read  any  thing  which  fo  much  moved  my  pi- 
ty and  indignation  as  the  late  declaration,  profeffion  of 
faith,  or  political  creed  (for,  I  confefs,  I  am  at  a  lof" 
what  title  to  give  ir)   of  the  Convention  of  Marylanc' 
The    inftruction  of    your   afiembly    to  their  delegate 
(which,  inter  tier,  was  a  moft  wretched  piece  of  bufmefs 
was  Roman  magnanimity  comparative^  with  this  fni- 
veiling  production  from  Annapolis.    They  declare,  thai 
they  Ihall  efteem  feparation  from  Great  Britain  as  the 
hit  of  misfortunes. 

There 


(     Ml     ) 

There  is  a  ftory  of  a  Morocco  flavc,  in  die  reign  of 
Muley  Ifhmael,  who  pufhed  his  loyalty  lb  far,  that  when 
the  monarch,  in  the  gaite  de  azur^  had  plunged  his  dag- 
ger into  his  breaft,  he  drew  it  out,  and  mod  loyally,  pre- 
sented it  again  to  his  facred  mailer,  who,  as  royally  by  a 
fecond  ftroke,  difpatched  him.  This  ftory  is  fcarceiy 
credible,  but  the  poflibility  of  the  fact  is  now  verified  by 
the  conduct  of  the  Houfe  of  Convention  of  Maryland. 
What  !  when  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  rob  you  and 
your  poflerity  of  your  birth-rights  ;  when  your  field  ^ 
been  laid  wane,  your  towns  have  been  burnt,  and  your 
citizens  butchered  j  when  your  property  is  feized  and  con- 
fifcated  in  all  parts  of  the  world  ;  when  an  inexorable  ty- 
rant, an  abandoned  parliament,  and  a  corrupt  pufillani- 
mous  people,  have  formed  an  helliih  league  to  rob 
of  every  thing  men  hold  molt  dear  ;  is  it  poflible  that 
there  fhould  be  creatures  who  march  on  two  legs,  and 
call  themfelves  human,  who  tan  be  fo  deltitute  of  fenti- 
ment,  courage,  and  feeling,  as  fobbingly  to  proteft,  they 
{hall  confider  feparation  from  thefe  butchers  and  robbers 
as  the  laft  of  misfortunes  ?  Oh,  I  could  brain  you  with 
your  ladies  fans  ! 


Charlefton,  June  15th,  1776. 

ORDERS. 

AS  it  now  appears  almoit  a  certainty  (from  the  intel- 
ligence of  fome  deferters)  that  the  enemy's  intention  is 
to  make  an  attack  on  the  city  ;  and  as  the  General  is 
confident,  that  the  numbers  and  fpirit  of  the  garrifon  will 
prevent  their  landing,  it  only  remains  to  guard  againlt 
the  injury  which  the  city  may  receive  from  their  can- 
non. 

The  continental  troops,  provincials,  and  militia,  are, 
therefore,  mod  earneftly  conjured  to  work  with  no  lefs 
alacrity,  than  light  with  courage.  Courage  alone  will 
not  fuffice  in  war  \  true  foldiers  and  magnanimous  citi- 
zens 


(     248     ) 

zens  muft  brandifh  the  pick-ax  and  fpade,  as  well  as  tl 
fword,  in  defence  of  their  country  :  one  or  two  days  la- 
bour, at  this  critical  juncture,  may  not  only  fave  many 
worthy  families  from  ruin,  but  many  worthy  individuals 
from  lofs  of  limbs  and  life.  On  this  principle  the  Ge- 
neral does  not,  fimply  in  his  capacity  of  commanding 
officer,  order,  but  entreat  the  whole  garrifon  [thofe  on 
the  neceffary  duties  excepted]  to  exert  themfclves  in  for- 
warding the  requifite  works  of  protection. 

The  colonels  or  commanding  officers  of  the  corps  are 
to  review  their  men's  arms  this  evening  at  roll  calling  ; 
to  take  care  they  are  in  as  good  order  as  poffible,  and  that 
they  are  furnifhed  with  good  flints.  The  officers  com- 
manding the  different  guards  are  to  do  the  fame  with 
their  refpecHve  guards. 

For  the  future  it  muft  be  obferved,  as  an  eftablifhed 
rule,  that  no  artillery  officer  fires  a  fmgle  cannon  with- 
out previouily  acquainting  the  General. 


Fort -Sullivan.  June  24th,  1776. 
GENERAL  LEE  pofitively  orders,  that  the  fcreen 
behind  the  aperture  of  the  traverfe  be  immediately  begun 
and  finiihed  with  all  poffible  expedition  ;  that  a  breaft- 
work  of  timber,  fix  feet  high,  be  raifed  on  the  rampart, 
fo  as  to  form  a  continuation  of  the  traverfe  ;  that  a  ban- 
quet be  raifed  behind  the  traverfe,  fo  as  to  enable  the  muf- 
quetry  to  fire  over.  The  preient  work  round  the  rear- 
guard room  to  be  confiderably  ftrengthened  ;  the  paraT 
pet  raifed,  and  the  ditch  deeper  and  wider  ^  a  fcreen  tc 
be  thrown  up  behind  the  entrance  ;  a  facade  of  facines 
or  old  timber,"  is  neceffary  to  keep  up  the  light  fand, 
which  the  breaft-work  of  this  rear-guard  is  compofed. 


Sir,  v  Charlefton,  June  aift,  177& 

IT  is  a  certain  truth,  that  the  enemy  entertain  a  moft 

fortunate  apprehenfion  of   American  riflemen.      It  is 

equally 


{     249     ) 

equally  certain,  that  nothing  can  diminifh  this  apprehen* 
fion  fo  infallibly  as  a  frequent  ineffectual  fire.  It  is 
■with  fome  concern,  therefore,  that  I  am  informed,  that 
your  men  have  been  fuffered  to  fire  at  a  moil  prepofte-* 
rous  diftance.  Upon  this  principle,  I  muft  entreat  and 
I  infill  that  you  ccnluier  it  as  a  (landing  order,  th.it  not  a 
man  und^r  your  command  is  to  fire  at  a  greater  diftance 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  at  the  utmoft  :  in 
fhort,  that  they  never  fire  without  almoft  a  moral  cer- 
tainty of  hitting  their  object.  Diftant  firing  has  a  dou- 
ble bad  effect: ;  it  encourages  the  enemy,  and  adds  to  the 
pernicious  perfuafion  of  the  American  foldicrs,  viz. 
That  they  are  no  match  for  their  antagonists  at  clofe  fighting. 
To  fpeak  plainly,  it  is  almoft  a  lure  method  of  making 
them  cowards.  Once  more  I  muft  requeft,  that  a  flop 
be  put  to  this  childifh,  vicious,  and  fcandalous  practice. 
I  extend  the  rule  to  thofe  who  have  the  care  of  the  heid 
pieces  •,  four  hundred  yards  is  the  greateft  diftance  they 
fhould  be  allowed  to  fire  at.  A  tranfgreffion  of  this  rule 
will  be  confidered  as  the  eueJl  of  flurry  and  want  of 
courage. 

Thole  who  are  accufed  of  tranfgrefTmg,  will  be  pro- 
ceeded againit,  as_ac~ling  from  thefe  principles.  I  have, 
Sir,  the  greateft  opinion  of  your  good  fenfe  and  fpirit, 
and  (latter  myfelf,  that  you  will  not  only  iffue  orders  of 
reftritlion  on  this  head,  but  that  you  will  be  attentive 
that  they  are  vigoroufly  put  in  execution. 
I  am,  Sir, 

Your  mod  obedi' 

Humble  fcrvant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Col.  Thompfon. 

P.  S.  I  am  likewife  informed,  that  your  men  pafs 
without  ordjr,  or  orders,  to  Long-Hland.  Is  this  wife  ? 
is  it  foldier  like  ?  Is  it  to  fhew  the  enemy  where  our 
weaknefs  is .; 


;iR, 


Sir.  Charlefton,  July  2d,  1776.  W 

t  fhould  have  done  myfelf  the  honour  fooner  of  infor- 
ming the  Congrefs  of  the  attack  made  by  the  enemy's 
ftjuadron  on  SullivanVIiland,  and  their  repulfe ;  but 
conjectured,  that  by  waiting  a  day  or  two,  I  might  pro- 
bably be  furnifhed  with  the  means  of  fending  a  more  mi- 
nute, full  and  fatisfa&ory  account.  My  conjecture  was 
right  ;•  for  yefterday  live  teamen  made  their  efcape,  one 
of  whom  is  a  more  intelligent  fellow  than  is  commonly 
found  amongft  men  of  his  level.  Inclofed  is  a  copy  of 
their  narrative  j  fome  parts  of  it  are,  perhaps,  too  whim- 
fical  and  trivial  to  merit  the  attention  of  Congrefs,  but  I 
think  it  my  duty  to  prefent  it  as  it  is,  without  adding  or 
curtailing  a  circumftance.  I  think,  Sir,  I  may  venture 
to  congratulate  the  Congrefs  on  the  event ;  not  only  the 
advantages  muft  be  confiderable,  but  the  affair  reflects  no 
fmall  credit  on  the  American  arms. 

On  Friday,  about  eleven  o'clock,  the  Commodore, 
with  his  whole  fquadron,  confifting^  of  two  line  of  bat- 
tle-ihips  and  fix  frigates,  the  rates  of  which  are  marked 
in  the  inclofed  narrative,  anchored  at  lefs  than  half  muf- 
ket  fhot  from  the  fort,  and  commenced  one  of  the  mod 
furious  and  incefiant  fires  I  ever  faw  or  heard.  It  was 
manifeftly  their  plan  to  land  at  the  fame  time  their  whole 
regulars  at  the  eaft  end  of  the  ifland,  and,  of  courfe,  in- 
vert the  fort  by  land  and  fea.  As  the  garrifon  was  com- 
pofed  entirely  of  raw  troops,  both  men  and  officers  •,  as 
I  knew  their  ammunition  was  fliort ;  and  as  the  bridge 
by  which  we  could  reinforce,  or  call  of  the  troops  from 
the  ifland,  was  uniinifhed,  you  may  eafily  conceive  my 
anxiety.  It  w,as  fo  great,  that  I  was  in  fufpence  whether 
I  mould  evacuate  it  or  no.  Fortunately,  while  I  was  in 
this  Rate  of  fufpence,  fome  ammunition  arrived  from 
the  town,  and  my  aid  de  camp,  Mr.  Byrd,  returning  from 
the  ifland  with  a  flattering  report  of  the  garrifon's  fpirit, 
I  determined  to  fupport  it  at  all  hazards.  On  this  prin- 
ciple I  thought  it  my  duty  to  crofs  over  to  the  ifland,  to 
encourage  the  garrifon  by  my  prefence ;  but  I  might 
Iiave  fared  myfelf  that  trouble  ;  for  I  found,  on  my  ar- 
rival, 


(      25I       ) 

Rivals  they  had  no  occafion  for  any  fort  of  encourage* 
ment  i  I  found  them  determined  and  cool  to  the  laft  de- 
gree :  their  behaviour  would  in  fact,  have  done  honour 
totheoldelt  troops.  I  beg  leave,  Sir,  therefore,  to  re- 
pommend,  in  the  ftrongeft  terms,  to  the  Cbngrefs,  the 
commanding  officer,  Colonel  Moultrie,  and  his  whole 
garrifon,  as  brave  foldiers  and  excellent  citizens ;  nor 
muft  I  omit,  at  the  fame  time,  mentioning  Colonel 
Thompfcn,  who,  with  the  South-Carolina  rangers  and  a 
detachment  of  the  North-Carolina  regulars,  repulfed  the 
enemy  in  two  feveral  attempts  to  make  a  lodgment  at 
the  other  extremity  of  the  ifland. 

Our  lofs,  confidering  the  heat  and  duration  of  the  fire, 
was  inconfiderable  :  we  had  only  ten  men, killed  on  the 
fpot  and  twenty-two  wounded  j  feven  of  whom  loft  their 
limbs,  but  with  their  limbs,  they  did  not  lofe  their  fpirits; 
for  they  enthufiaftically  encouraged  their  comrades  never 
to  abandon  the  ftandard  of  liberty  and  their  country. 
This,  I  do  affure  you,  Sir,  is  not  in  the  ftyle  of  Gafco- 
nading  romance,  ufual  after  every  fuccefsfuj  action,  but 
literally  fact ;  I,  with  pleafure,  mention  the  circumftance, 
as  it  augurs  well  to  the  caufe  of  freedom.  At  eleven  the 
fire  ceafed,  having  continued  juft  twelve  hours  without 
the  leaft  intermiffion.  What  the  enemy's  intentions  are 
now,  it  is  impoflible  to  divine.  I  am  inclined  to  think, 
they  will,  if  they  can  repafs  the  bar,  bend  their  courfe  to 
Chefapeak  or  Hampton  Bay :  perhaps  fhame  and  rage 
may  prompt  their  land  forces  to  fome  attempt  before 
their  departure  :  on  my  part,  I  fliall  fpare  no  pains  to 
difcover  their  intentions  and  baffle  their  ichenjes. 

As  Georgia  is  a  diftritt  of  the  command  with  which 
you  have  honoured  me,  I  thought  it  prudent  to  requelt 
fome  of  their  members  to  a  conference  with  the  prefident 
"Ofthis  province,  and  myfelf.  They  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  gave  us  great  fatisfaction  from  their  intelli- 
gence and  good  fenfe.  Inclofed  is  the  fubftance  of  their 
deliberation. 

The  province  is  certainly  of  the  laft  importance  to  the 
common  caufe,  and  the  mode  of  protecting  it,  pointed 

out 


(     252     ) 

out  by  thefe  gentlemen,  is  in  my  opinion,  in  all  its  parts, 
wife  and  neceflary.  They  had  conceived  a  notion  that  I 
had  powers  to  augment  their  eftablifhment ;  I  allured 
them  I  had  no  fuch  powers  ;  but  both  Mr.  Rutledgeand 
mvferf  gave 'it  as  our  opinion,  that  any  expences  mani- 
feftly  beyond  their  faculties  which  they  might  incur  in 
the  common  caule,  would  be  repaid  by  the  Congrcfs  ; 
and  in  this  perfuafion  we  ventured  to  encourage  them  to 
augment  their  cavalry,  without  lofs  of  time,  and  make 
the  propofed  prefent  of  cattle  to  the  Indians.  Indeed, 
Sir,  without  a  ftrong  corps  of  cavalry,  I  do  not  fee  how 
it  is  poflible  to  protect:  thefe  Southern  colonies,  and  with 
one  thoufand  good  cavalry,  I  chink  I  could  infure  their 
protection.  From  the  want  of  this  fpecies  of  troops, 
Charlefton  and  its  dependencies  had  certainly  been  loft, 
if  the  enemy  had  acted  with  the  vigour  and  expedition  we 
had  reafon  to  expect  ;  but  a  molt  unaccountable  langour 
and  inertnefs  on  their  parts  have  faved  us.  If  the  fcheme 
I  propofed  in  Virginia  had  been  approved  and  adopted, 
it  would  have  been  not  only  a  fecurity  but  coniiderable 
cecouomy.  The  forage  was  to  have  been  the  only  ex- 
pence.  Now  I  am  upon  the  fubject,  I  cannot  help  men- 
tioning, that  I  have  been  informed  that  the  project  has 
been  confidered  by  fome  gentlemen,  as  a  fort  of  a  pre- 
emption in  me,  in  arrogating  fuch  a  power  ;  but  I  fancy 
the  affair  was  not  properly  underilood  :  I  faw  the  imme- 
diate necellity  of  fuch  a  corps.  I  knew  they  could  be 
railed  immediately  by  thefe  means,  and  at  the  fame  time 
I  was  given  to  understand,  by  feveral  gentlemen  of  the 
Virginia  convention,  that  fhould  the  Continental  Con- 
grefs difapprove  of  the  expence  (trilling  as  it  was)  there 
was  little  doubt  of  their  convention  defraying  it ;  but, 
in  fact,  Sir,  the  meafure  feemed  neceflary  for  the  falva- 
tion  of  the  provinces,  and  not  a  day  was  to  be  loft ;  which, 
Ihope,will  fully  juftify  my  conduit :  and  I  mult  beg  leave 
to  repeat  my  aflertion,  that  without  cavalry  the  provinces 
cannot  eafily  be  defended. 

I  willi  forhe  means  could  be  devifed  of  reducing  Eaft- 
Florida  to  an  American  province.     Had  I  force  fuffici- 

ent, 


(     253     )" 

cnt,  I  fhould,  with  your  permiffion,  certainly  attempt  it ; 
the  advantages  would  be  great  and  manifold.  The  aug- 
mentation of  the  Georgian  cavalry,  I  fincerely  hope  may 
be  approved  of  by  the  Congrefs.  Inclofed  is  the  eftablifh- 
ment  and  pay  propofed  for  them  ;  I  think  the  terms 
not  high. 

I  fhall  now,  Sir,  conclude  with  expreffing  the  high 
fatisfaclion  I  have  received  from  the  zeal,  activity,  and 
public  fpirit  of  the  gentlemen  and  inhabitants  of  this  city 
and  province,  from  the  prefident  and  council,  down  to  I 
the  loweft  order  of  the  people  ;  and  with  alluring  you, 
that  I  have  not,  in  my  military  capacity,  met  with  the 
leaft  obftruction  or  difficulty  ;  but  that  we  have  all  work- 
ed in  concert  and  harmony  for  the  common  good.  I 
moft  earneftly  requclt  you  will  pay  my  refpecls  to  the 
Congrefs,  and  beperfuaded,  Sir,  that  I  am  moft  entire- 
ly and  devoutedly, 

Your  moft  obedient  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Pref. 

of  the  Continental  Congrefs. 

P.  S.  Lord  Dunmore  has,  I  believe,  with  him  at  pre- 
fent  only  one  iliip  of  war  ;  if  any  part  of  the  continental 
fieet  fhould  happen  to  viilt  Hampton-Bay,  at  this  junc- 
ture, it  would  defeat  the  whole  fcheme  of  the  enemy's 
operations,  at  leaft  for  this  campaign  ;  but  it  is  impoffible 
to  fay  how  long  his  Lordihip  may  remain  in  this  weak 
condition. 


Sir,  Charleston,  July  7th,  1775. 

MR.  Rutledge  will  inform  you  by  this  exprefs,of  the 
outrages  committed  by  the  Cherokees,  which  muft  be 
conftrued  as  the  commencement  of  a  war.  As  it  is  now 
certain  that  a  capital  and  favourite  part  of  the  plan  laid 
down  by  our  enemies,  is  to  lay  wafte  the  provinces,  burn 
i  the  inhabitans,  and  mix  men,  women,  and  children  in 
one  common  carnage,  by  the  hands  of  the  Indians  i  and 
Z  g$ 


(     254     ) 

as  this  part  of  the  plan,  though  a  piece  of  inhumanity,  is 
certainly  more  big  with  mifchievious  conlequenees  than 
the  reft,  it  appears  to  me  abfolutely  necefiary  to  crufli 
the  evil  before  it  arifes  to  any  dangerous  height,  indeed, 
if  we  avail  ourfelves  of  the  event,  it  may  prove  a.  fortu- 
nate one.  Perhaps  we  ought,  in  policy,  to  have  wifhed 
for  it.  We  can  now,  with  the  greatett  juftice,  ftrike  a. 
blow  which  is  necefiary  to  intimidate  the  numerous  tribes 
of  Indians  from  falling  into  the  meafures  of  our  enemies  j 
afid  as  thefe  Cherokees  are  not  elteemed  the  molt  formi- 
dable warriors,  we  can,  probably,  do  it  without  much 
rifque  or  lofs.  I  think  then,  Sir,  that  without  a  mo- 
ment's delay,  a  body  of  your  frontier  rifle-men  fhould  be 
immediately  furwiihed,  and  march  into  the  country  of 
the  Overhill  Cherokees,  and  make  a  fevere,  lading  and 
falutary  example  of  them.  The  Carolinians  propofe  at 
the  fame  time  attacking  their  lower  towns,  and,  with  the 
co-operation  of  Virginia,  entertain  no  doubt  of  fuccefs. 
Clinton's  army  and  Parker's  fquadron  are  pretty  much 
in  tire  fame  fltuation  as  when  I  wrote  laft.  They  daily, 
indeed,  make  fome  alterations  in  the  pofition  of  their  land 
troops  from  one  ifland  to  another  •,  perhaps  for  new  air 
or  water,  of  which,  tire  deferters  fay,  they  are  in  great 
want.  They  tell  us  likewife,  that  confiderable  ficknefs 
prevails  in  the  army,  and  greater  difcontents  from  hard 
duty  and  bad  diet.  The  fpirit  of  defertion  begins  to  fhew 
itfelf ;  five  foldiers  came  over  thefe  two  laft  nights,  who 
affure  us,  that  were  they  not  on  an*  ifland,  from  which  it 
is  difficult  to  efcape,  two-thirds  of  their  army  would  foon 
be  with  us.  I  am  myfelf  inclined  to  believe  them.  Up- 
on the  whole,  when  I  confider  the  difficulties  which  the 
enemy's  Generals  have  to  encounter,  the  temper  and 
"■'-on  of  their  troops,  and  the  improving  fpirit  of 
ou.  j  j  myfelf,  that  the  game  is  in  our  hands.  God 

give  ut, .  /ace  than  to  fhuffle  it  away, 

j.  am,  Sir, 

Your  molt  obedient  humble  fervant, 
CHARLES  LEE. 
To  the  Hon.  Edm.  Pendleton,  Pref. 

cf  the  '■Convention  of  Virginia.  My. 


(    *ss    ) 

My  sbar  Friend,    '  '•GharleHon,  July  19th, 

I  HAVE  received  yours,  of  the  28th  of  May,  and 
did  not  think  it  poflible  that  any  thing  could  come  from 
your  hand  to  give  mc  fo  difagrecable  leftfatioris.  You 
tell  me  a  dark,  myflerious  (lory  of  a  certain  great  Gene- 
ral, of  whom  prince  Ferdinand  has  declared, y?  Fo:i  veut 
un  rjjlciery  &c.  this  great  General  in  the  cloud?,  will,  it 
fecms,  gracioufly  condefcend  to  fcrve  America,  on  con- 
dition that  Congrefs  will  give  him  aflurances  of  ftepping 
over  the  heads  of  every  officer  but  one,  and  this  he  fub- 
mits  to,  only  on  confideratron  of  the  conhdence  due  to 
an  American.  You  a(k  my  opinion  on  this  fubjeel  \ 
but  the  palpable  meaning  of  your  letter  is,  to  prepare 
me  for  aceilion  of  my  rank  in  favour  of  fome  impudent 
adventurer.  Buckvvith  is  the  man,  as  you  conjecture, 
from  his  known  political  principles  and  military  abilities, 
which  are  fo  tranlcendent,  that  I  ought  for  the  public  in- 
tereit  to  make  a 'fecond  facrifice.  I  am  not,  I  believe,  na- 
turally proud  -,  I  do  not  think  myfelf  conceited  of  my 
talents  •,  but  to  be  put  in  competition,  much  more  to  be 
fpurned  afide,  to  make  room  for  fo  defpicable  a  charac- 
ter as  Buckwith,  a  generally  reputed  coward,    (and  -a 

b d  fycophant)  I  fay,  to  be  kicked  out  of  my  (tatiou 

for  fuch  a  creature  as  this,  would  fwell  a  man  more 
humble  than  myfelf  into  a  trumpeter  of  his  own  merits. 
Great  God  !  is  it  come  to  this  ?  I  am  not,  it  feems,  an 
American  ;  but  am  I  not  (if  I  may  fo  exprefs  rrfyfek  ) 
Americamcr  ipfis  Americanis  ?  Have  I  not,  fuch  has  been 
my  zeal  for  your  caufe,  once  already  waved  my  military 
claims  in  deference  to  the  whim  and  partiality  of  fome 
of  your  members  ?  Did  I  not  content  to  ferve  under  a"rt 
old  church-warden,  of  whom  you  had  conceived  a  molt 
extravagant  and  ridiculous  opinion  ?  Your  eyes  were  at 
length  opened,  and  deacon  Ward  returned  to  his  proper 
occupation  •,  and  would  you  now  a  fecond  time — do  you 
think  it  confident  with  decency,  I  may  fay,  gratitude  or 
common  honetty,  to  load  me  a  fecond  time  with  a  firm  tar 
difgrace  ?  Have  I  betrayed  any  ignorance  in  my  profef- 
fion  I    Have  I  fhewn  a  deficiency  in  courage   ?  Am  I 

fiackened 


(     256     ) 

flackened  in  my  zeal  or  induitry  ?  What  have  I  clone  to 
merit  fuch  an  indignation  ?  What  part  of  my  conduct 
can  juflify  your  harbouring  fuch  an  idea  ?  Have  not  I 
ilaked  my  fortune,  life  and  reputation  in  your  caufe  ? 
Is  there  a  fervice  in  Europe,  to  fpeajc  proudly,  (your  in- 
jurious propofal  forces  me  to  it)  is  there  a  fervice  in  Eu- 
rope, where,  with  fome  fmall  reputation,  and  my  pow- 
erful friends,  I  might  not  expec~t  the  fame  rank  I  now 
hold  ?  Have  I  not  made  myfelf  a  voluntary  flave  for  the 
insurances  of  American  freedom  ?  Have  I,  fleeping  or 
waking,  employed  a  fingle  thought,  but  for  her  welfare, 
glory  or  advantage  ?  But  enough  of  this — You  afk  my 
opinion,  and  I  will  freely,  explicitly,  and  concifely  give 
it  to  you.  If  the  Congrefs  fupercede  me,  I  will,  I  muft 
obey  ;  but  I  hope,  in  common  juftice,  and  for  their  own 
honour,  that  they  will  re-eftablifhed  me,  at  lead  in  part, 
in  the  eafy  fortune  which  I  have  forfeited,  fo  as  to  ena- 
ble me  to  retire  from  a  fervice  to  which  I  am  no  longer 
thought  adequate.  Before  I  conclude,  let  me  once  more 
repeat  confidentially  to  you,  that  if  Buckwith  is  the  man, 
in  whofe  favour  ycu  meditate  fo  grofs  a  piece  of  in  juftice, 
you  will  make  a  very  bad  bargain,  as  he  is  certainly,  un- 
lefs  fame  belies  him,  neither  poiTefled  of  courage,  abilities, 
or  integrity. 

In  God's  name,  if  a  real  genius,  or  acknowledged 
hero,  favoured  by  Heaven  with  a  more  than  common 
portion  of  etherial  fpirit,  fhoulcl  prefent  himfelf,  fo.  la 
Lippe,  or  Braganfa J  receive  him  with  open  arms,  as  an 
immediate  prefent  from  God  ;  inv.eft  him  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  whole.  No  man  loves,  refpecSts  and  rever- 
ences another  more  than  I  do  General  Wafhington.  I 
efteem  his  virtues,  private  and  public.  I  know  him  to 
be  a  man  of  fenfe,  courage,  and  firmnefs  ;  but  if  a  hero 
fhould  Hart  up,  endowed  with  the  artributes,  which,  ac- 
cording to  my  perfuafion  refide  in  the  two  I  have  men- 
tioned, and  who  would  charge  himfelf  with  the  mighty 
talk  of  your  political  falvation,  General  Wafhington 
ought,  and,  I  am  convinced,  would  refign  the  truncheon; 
but  that  a  little,  pal  try,' impudent  adventurer  fhould  fneak- 

ingly 


(     257     ) 

ingly  ftipulate  for  the  fecond  rank,  when,  if  his  motives 
were  pure,  he  could  be  equally  ferviceable  in  the  third, 
fourth,  fifth,  or  fixth  ;  it  is  not  to  be  endured,  it  is  a 
grofs  hnpofition  on  common  understanding,  and  a  groflcr 
attempt  to  rob  an  individual.  I  mull  beg  and  conjure 
you,  my  dear  friend,  for  fuch  I  am  fure  v«>u  are,  to  con- 
sider the  delicate,  perhaps,  you  will  fay,  falfe  notions  in 
which  foldiers  are  bred  ;  and  that  you  will  be  careful  of 
putting  to  fo  fevere  a  trial  the  fenfibility  of  one,  who  is 
molt  iincerely,  devotedly,  and  affectionately, 
Yours, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  *  *  *. 


P.  S.  I  am  extremely  fhocked  with  the  pallid  com- 
plexion of  your  public  councils  •,  is  it  pofhble  that  fuch  a 
defpicable  group  as  the  Maryland  Convention,  fhould  lay 
an  embargo  on  the  great  vefiel  of  the  commonwealth  ! 
Can  you  be  fo  weak  as  to  hunt  for  the  chimsera  abfo- 
lute  unanimity  !  Why  do  you  not  advife  the  aggregate 
of  the  people  to  enfranchifc  themselves  ?  Your  idea  of 
quitting  Canada  from  want  of  fpecie  is  to  me  incon- 
ceivable, when  you  can  or  ought  to  command  plate  fuf- 
ficient  to  purchaie  ten  Canadas. 


Dear  Sir,  Charleflon,  July  29th,  177*?, 

I  USED  to  regret  not  Toeing  thrown  into  the  world, 
in  the  glorious  third  or  fourth  century  of  the  Romans, 
but  I  am  now  thoroughly  reconciled  to  my  lot.  The 
reveries  which  have  frequently  for  a  while  fcrved  to  tic- 
kle my  imagination  (but  which,  when  awakened  from 
my  trance,  as  conftantly  I  conlidered  as  mere  golden 
caftles  built  in  the  air)  at  length  bid  fair  for  being  realiz- 
ed. We  fhall  now,  moft  probablv,  fee  a  mighty  empire 
eflablifhed  of  freemen,  whofe  honour,  property,  and 
military  glories  are  not  to  be  at  the  difpofal  of  a  fceptev- 
ed  tyrant  j  nor  their  conferences  to  be  fettered  by  a  proud, 
Z  2  domineering 


(     *S*     ) 

d-ominceriug  hierarchy.  Every  faculty  of  the  foul  will 
be  now  put  in  motion,  no  merit  can  lie  latent ;  the  high- 
eft  offices  of  the  (late  both  civil  and  military,  will  now 
be  obtained,  without  court  favour,  or  therafcally  taleiUs 
of  fervility  and  obfervance,  by  which  court  favour,  could 
alone  be  acquired.  Scnfe,  valour  and  induftry  will  con- 
duct us  to  the  goal  :  every  fpark  of  ability  which  every 
individual  poflefles,  will  now  be  brought  forth  and  form 
the  common  aggregate  for  the  advantage  and  honour  of 
the  community.  The  operations  of  war  will  be  directed 
by  men  qualified  for  war,  and  carried  on  with  that  en- 
ergy natural  to.  a  young  people.  True  unartized  know- 
ledge, unfophifticated  learning,  fimple  genuine  eloquence 
and  poetry  will  be  carried  on  to  the  higheft  degree  of 
perfection.  This,  to  many,  I  am  fenfible,  would  appear 
rant,  but  to  you,  who,  I  think,  have  congenial  feelings 
with  my  own,  it  needs  no  apology.  However,  I  fh.ill 
now  endeavour  to  deliver  myfelf  more  like  a  man  of  this 
world. 

I  mod  fincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  noble  conduct 
of  your  countrymen  j  and  I  congratulate  your  country 
on  having  citizens,  deferving  of  the  high  honour  to  which 
you  are  exalted  ';  for  the  being  elected  to  the  firft  ma- 
giftracy  of  a  free  people  is  certainty  the  pinnacle  of  hu- 
man glory  ;  and  am  perfuaded  that  they  coukl  not  have 
made  a  happier  choice. 

Will  you  excufe  me  ?  but  I  am  myfelf  fo  extremely 
democratical,  that  I  think  it  a  fault  in  your  constitution 
that  the  governor  thould  be  eligible  for  three  years  iuc- 
ceffively.  It  appears  to  me  that  a  government  of  three 
years  may  furnifh  an  opportunity  of  acquiring  a  very 
dangerous  influence  •,  but  this  is  not  the  worit  Tacitus 
fays,  plura  peccanturt  dum  demeremur^  quarn  dum  affeudi- 
mui.  A  man  who  is  fond  of  office,  and  has  his  eye  upon 
re-election,  will  be  courting  favour  and  popularity,  at  the 
expence  of  his  duty.  He  will  give  way  to  the  popular 
humours  of  the  day,  let  thefi  be  ever  fo  pernicious.  In 
fhort  his  adminiftration  will  be  relaxed  in  general,  or 
partial  to  thofe  whom  he  conceives  to  have  the  greateft 

intercft : 


(     *59     ) 

interefc  :  Whereas,  were  all  hopes  of  re-election  preclud- 
ed, till  after  the  intervention  of  a  certain  number  of 
,  he  would  endeavour  to>  illuftrate  the  year  of  his 
government  by  a  drift,  rigorous,  and  manly  performance 
of  his  duty.  Thefe  notions  ma-,  perhaps,  b-:  weak  and 
foolifh  ;  but  inch  as  they  are,  I  am  fure  you  will  excufe 
my  uttering  them. 

There  is  a  bavbarifm  crept  in  among  us  that  extreme- 
ly fliocks  me,  I  mean  thole  tinfel  epithets,   with  which 
(I  come  in  for  my  fhare)  we  are  fo  beplaiftered  ;  His  Ex- 
vy,  and  His  Honour  ;   The  Honourable  Brelident   of 
the  Congrefs  or   the    Honourable    I  .    :•/.      This    ful- 

fome,  nauleating  cant  may  be  well  enough  adopted  to 
barbarous  monarchies  ;  or  to  gratify  the  adulterated  pride 
of  the  magnifici  in  pompous  ari/loc  nicies  ;  but  in  a  great, 
free,  manly,  equal  commonwealth,  it  is  quite  abominable  j 
for  my  own  part,  I  would  as  lief  they  would  put  rats- 
in  ray  mouth,  as  the  Excellency  with  which  I  am 
daily  crammed.  How  muchmore  true  dignity  was  there 
in  the  Simplicity  of  addrefs  amongft  rhe  Romans  !  Ma»- 
cus  Tullius  Cicero,  Dceimo  Bruto  Imperatori,  or  Caio 
M  ircelio  Confuli,  than  to  his  Excellency  Major  General 
-Noodle,  or  to  the  Honourable  John  Doodle.  My  ob-. 
jections  are  perhaps. trivial  and  whimfical  ;  but,  for  mr/ 
foul,  I  cannot  help  ftarting  them.  If,  therefore,  I  fhould 
fometimes  addrefs  a  letter  to  you  without  the  Excellency 
tacked,  you  muft  not  elkem  it  a  mark  of  perfonal  or  offi- 
cial difrefpect,  but  the  reverfe. 

The  diicontcnt  of  the  troops  which  you  mentioned  as 
arifing  from  the  want  of  regular  payment,  mighthavebeen 
remedied  by  General  Lewis  •,  his  warrant  is  undoubtedly 
fufficient  for  the  pay-mafter  :  however,  I  have  written 
to  tJiat  gentleman  on  this  fubject,  and  am  in  hopes  that 
affairs  for  the  future  will  be  more  fatisfadlorily  con- 
ducted. 

An  old  riee-bcat,  which  we  converted  the  othc  r  day 
into  a  row-battety,  has  made  a  confiderablc;  prize  ;  no 
lefs  than  a  brig  \\  Lth  a  whole  company  of  the  roya'  high- 
land emigrants  on  board,  confuting  of  two  office;  s  and 

fifty 


(     26o     ) 

fifty  men  :  although  they  faw  that  they  were  inevitably 
our  prize,  had  the  impudence  to  throw  their  arms  over- 
board, for  which  they  ought  to  have  their  ears  cut  off, 
as  it  was  contrary  to  all  the  rules  of  war. 

I  fend  you  inclofed  the  ftate  of  the  enemy's  navy  •,  I 
think  there  is  no  doubt  of  their  army  having  fteered  their 
courfe  Northward  ;  on  this  prefumption  I  mail  direct  my 
courfe  towards  Virginia,  but  firft  mull  affift  to  regulate 
the  military  affairs  of  this  province,  in  the  beft  manner  I 
can  ;  though,  in  fact,  that  will  be  doing  little  ;  the  incon- 
veniencies  of  this  complex  play  we  are  acting,  of  Duke 
and  no  Duke,  are  numberlefs  and  great.  The  prefident  is 
thought  by  fome  to  be  the  real  commander,  I  am  thought 
fo  by  otheis  ;  infhort,  there  muft  be  no  troops  but  con- 
tinental. The  council  is  at  prefent  employed  in  fettling, 
a  more  regular  poft.  We  have  received  none  thefe  eigh- 
teen days  j  for  my  own  part,  I  conclude  the  mail  has 
been  intercepted  and  carried  on  board  the  man  of  war. 
Seven  tons  and  a  half  of  powder  were  fafely  landed  four 
days  ago,  at  George-town. 

Adieu,  dear  Sir,  and  believe  me  to  be 

Moft  entirely  and  fincerely  yours, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
His  Excellency  Patrick  Henry,  Jun. 

Governor  of  Virginia. 


Sir,  Charlefton,  Aug.  26, 1776. 

I  WISH  I  had  been  informed  how  I  am  to  addrefs 
myfelf  in  writing  to  the  Board  of  War  ;  whether  to  the 
board  in  general,  to  the  firft  members  on  the  lift,  or  to 
the  fecretary.  I  have  ventured  on  the  laft  mode  ;  if  it  is 
wrong,  I  hope  I  fhall  be  excufed  and  corrected.  The 
irregularity  and  tardinefs  of  the  poft  are  now  become  a 
matter  of  my  ferious  concern  j  we  never  receive  a  letter 
from  Philadelphia  in  lefs  than  fix  or  feven  weeks  ;  that 
from  the  members  of  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordinance 
is  only  juft  now  arrived,  though  dated  the  twelfth  of 

June. 


(     26r     ) 

June.  I  have  been  prefled,  Sir,  by  feveral  members  of 
the  Convention  of  Virginia,  to  eftablifh  a  poft  for  this  dis- 
trict ;  but  am  apprehcnfive,  that  it  might  interfere  with 
the  continental  poft  •,  however,  the  confequences  arifing 
from  the  irregularity  of  the  poll  are  (o  very  ferious,  that 
all  other  confiderations  muft  be  waved  :  In  the  mean 
time,  I  am  conftrained  to  the  neceffity  of  putting  the 
continent  to  the  expence  of  an  exprefs  almoft  on  every 
occafion. 

I  am  extremely  rejoiced  at  the  eftablifliment  of  a 
Board  of  War  ;  for  the  bufinefs  of  Congrefs  was  fo  com* 
plex  and  heterogeneous,  that  it  was  impoffible  they 
mould  give  the  necefTary  attention  to  the  affairs  of  any 
one  diftinct:  department  ;  their  regulations  with  refpect 
to  returns,  &c.  mall  be  punctually  obferved.  I  have  or- 
dered General  Armftrong  to  collect  the  returns  from 
the  different  corps,  to  digeft  them  into  one,  and  tranfmit 
them  immediately  to  the  Congrefs. 

I  am  myfelf  bufied  in  arranging  matters  for  an  expedi- 
tion into  Eaft-Florida.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that 
thefe  Southern  colonies  fuffered  the  whole  of  laft  winter 
to  pafs  over  their  heads  without  preparing  the  means 
either  of  offence  or  defence.  Not  a  fingle  row-galley  or 
armed  boat  was  furnifhed  by  Virginia,  North,  or  South- 
Carolina  ;  were  we  provided  with  a  moderate  fleet  of 
thefe  fort  of  veflels,  I  think  I  could  enfure  the  reduction 
'  of  Eaft-Fiorida,  an  object,  though  not  equal  with  Cana- 
da, is  certainly  of  very  great  importance.  Here  the 
meafures  of  the  Southern  Indians  are  concerted  and 
planned,  their  treaties  negociated  and  concluded-,  here 
they  receive  their  bribes,  for  their  murderous  operations, 
and  from  hence  they  are  fupplied  with  all  the  means  and 
inftrume?its  of  war  :  from  hence  they  have  lately  made 
iome  alarming  incur fions  into  Georgia,  carried  off  a  con- 
Gderable  number  of  negroes,  and  not  lefs  than  two  thou- 
iand  head  of  cattle  :  they  have  like  wife  thrown  up  a  poft 
on  the  river  St.  Mary's*  which,  if  fuffered  to  remain,  may 
prove  extremely  troublefome  to  Georgia,  by  affording  a 
ready  afylum  to  negro  defcrters. 

From 


(  *fe  ) 

From  thefe  confederations,  although  I  cannot  think  o: 
laying  fiege  to  Augufline,  having  neither  boats,  horfes 
w.iggons,  nor  any  other  means  of  conveying  cannon 
ammunition,  or  provifion  for  the  'purpofe.  I  think  i: 
both  a  prudent  and  neceflary  meafure  to  attempt  break- 
ing up  the  whole  province  of  Eaft-Florida.  It  will  bt 
a  fecurity  to  Georgia,  occafion  infinite  diftrefs  to  the  gar- 
rifon  of  St.  Auguftine,  hut,  above  all,  make  a  falutary  im- 
predion  on  the  minds  of  the  Creeks,  who  now  are  thought 
to  Hand  wavering.  They  profefs  a  good:  difpofition  to- 
wards the  American  caufe  ;  but  if,  by  a  ftrong  predatory 
expedition  into  the  province  of  the  enemy,  we  give  an 
idea  of  our  prowefs  and  fuperior  ftrength,  they  will  be 
riveted  in  our  intereft.  If  I  was  fure  Mr.  Clinton  and 
his  army  had  fleered  their  courfe  to  New-York,  as  the 
deferters  all  agree,  and  a  letter  which  was  left  in  Long- 
Ifland  confirms,  [a  copy  of  which  is  here  enclofed]  I 
mould,  as  I  have  nothing  immediately  elfe  to  do  in  my 
diftricf,  march  in  perfon  with  this  party ;  but  the  bare 
poffibility  of  his  being  gone  to  Virginia  will  detain  me 
Every  fhip  of  the  enemy  has  now  repafTed  the  bar.  It 
appears  by  this  fame  enclofed  letter-that  they  were  more 
roughly  handled  than  even  the  deferters  reprefented. 

The  Congrefs  I  make  no  doubt  have  been  informedj 
of  the  incurfions  made,  and  the  ravages  committed  by 
the  upper  and  lower  Cherokees  ;  an  expedition  T  under 
ftand  4s  furnifhed  forth  by  Virginia,  againit  the  upper 
nations ;  another  by  this  province  againft  the  lower  ;  the 
fuccefs  or  mifcarriage  is  of  the  laft  confequence  ;  I  am, 
therefore  defirous  of  forming  a  fecond  line,  or  corps  de 
rtfirve,  and  detaching  for  this  purpofe,  a  regiment  of  re- 
gulars, but  have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  procure  waggons 
fufficient  for  two  companies.  It  will  be  neceffary  that 
Congrefs  mould  make  fome  regular  eftablifbment  for 
waggons,  I  fhould  think  one  waggon  at  leaft,  if  not  two, 
fhould  be  purchafed  and  appointed  to  each  company  of 
the  whole  army,  and  regiments  made  refponfible  for 
theirs  refpectively.  We  mould  then  be  able  to  march 
when  occafion  requires  expedition  ;  at  prefent  it  is  fome- 

times 


(     **3     ) 

times  as  much  impoffible  to  march  an  hundred  miles,  al- 
though the  fate  of  a  province  depended  upon  it,  as  if  the 
foldiers  wanted  legs. 

I  hope  the  Congrefs  and  Board  of  War  will  excuie 
my  giving  an  opinion  on  a  fubjecr.  on  which  it  has  not 
been  afked  ;  but  1  conceive  it  to  be  my  duty  not  to  re- 
main filent  on  any  affairs  of  fuch  moment.  I  fuad,  Sir, 
that  reprefentatidns  have  been  made,  that  many  incon- 
venieneies  would  arife  from  putting  the  troops  of  this 
iproviuce  on  the  continental  eftablilhment.  I  can  allure 
the  Congrefs,  that  it  is  almoft  impoffible  to  carry  on  the 
fen  ice,  if  they  remain  on  the  colonial  eftablifhment  j  the 
difference  of  the  laws,  the  diftinction  of  rank,  occafion 
fo  much  confufion  j  and  the  ridiculous  farce  of  Duke  and 
no  Duke,  we  are  playing,  (the  officers  not  always  com- 
prehending who  is  their  proper- commander,  whether  the 
prefident,  or  continental  general)  occafions  very  dan- 
gerous diftractions  ;  but  there  are  other  matters  of  more 
ferious  confideration,  of  which  I  (hall  not  trouble  you 
with  a  detail ;  nor  do  I  find  that  the  officers  of  this  pro- 
vince objecl:  to  a  continental  eftablifhment,  on  the  con- 
trary, all  thofe  I  have  converfed  with,  feem  defirous  of 
it.  Upon  the  whole,  I  think  it  abfolutely  effential  to  the 

hlic  fervice,  that  thefe  regiments  fhould  immediately 

put  on  the  fame  footing,  and  be  governed  by  the  fame 
ws,  with  the  reft ;  nor  am  I  fingular  in  opinion  :  the 

o  brigadiers,  all  the  officers  of  every  rank,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  country  concur  with 
me. 

Colonel  Muhlenburg,  of  the  eighth  battalion  of  Vir- 
ginians, has  been  made  very  uneafy  by  fome  letters  he 
has  lately  received  with  refpect  to  the  rank  of  his  regi- 
ment. Thefe  letters  intimate,  that  it  was  never  the  in- 
tention of  the  Congrefs  to  coniider  the  feventh,  eighth, 
and  ninth,  battalions  of  the  Virginians  on  the  continen- 
tal eftablifhment  until  they  were  entirely  complete.  That 
his  regiment  never  was  entirely  complete ;  and  that 
confequently,  after  having  fo  long  thought  himfelf  on 
the  continental  eftablifhment ;  and  on  this  prefumption 

having 


(  i«4  ) 

having  marched  five  hundred  miles  from  his  own  pro- 
vince, under  the  command  of  a  continental  general,  he 
now,  at  leaft,  finds  himfelf  only  a  provincial  officer. 

I  have  ventured  to  aflure  him  and  his  officers,  who 
are  equally  uneafy,  that  there  muft  be  fome  miftake  in 
this  affair  ;  in  fa£t,  the  hardfhip  would  be  fo  great,  that 
I  cannot  believe  their  apprehenfions  are  well  founded.  It 
was,  if  I  remember  right,  notified  in  April,  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  in  Virginia,  that  they  were  then  taken 
upon  the  continental  eftablifhment ;  and,  though  in  this 
I  may  be  miftaken,  without  the  proviib  of  their  being 
complete. 

It  happened  at  this  time,  though  not  complete  to  a  man, 
(for  no  regiment  ever  is  complete  to  a  man)  that  Muh- 
lenburg's  regiment  was  not  only  the  moft  complete  of 
the  province,  but,  I  believe,  of  the  whole  continent ;  it 
was  not  only  the  moft  complete  in  numbers,  but  the  bed 
armed,  cloathed  and  equipped  in  all  refpecls  for  immedi- 
ate fervice ;  I  muft  repeat,  that  I  cannot  conceive  that 
it  was  ever  the  intention  of  Congrefs  that  the  eftablifh- 
ment fhould  be  filled  to  a  man  ;  but  that  they  fhould  be 
competent  to  fervice  in  or  out  of  their  province.  In  moft 
fervices  when  new  levies  are  raifed,  one  half  of  the  pro- 
pofed  compliments  entitles  them  to  eftablifhment.  Muh- 
lenburg's  regiment  wanted  only  forty  at  moft.  It  was  , 
the  ftrength  and  good  condition  of  the  regiment,  that  in- 
duced me  to  order  it  out  of  its  own  province,  in  prefer- 
ence to  any  other.  I  certainly  confidered  them  at  that 
time  as  continental  troops,  otherwife  I  could  have  no  au- 
thority to  order  them  out  of  the  province. 

I  muft  now  fubmit  it  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Congrefs,  if  it  would  not  really  be  the  greatell  cruelty, 
that  their  ftrength  and  good  condition  fhould  be  turned 
againft  them.  It  was  their  ftrength  and  good  condition 
which  carried  them  out  of  their  province,  where,  had 
they  remained  and  known  that  it  was  a  neceffary  condi- 
tion of  their  eftablifhment  to  be  complete  to  a  man,  they 
certainly  could  have  accomplifhed  it  in  three  days.  I  do, 
therefore,  moft  fincerely  hope,  and  confidently  perfuade 

myfelf 


(    «*5     ) 

irtyfelf,  that  Muhlenburg's  regiment  will  at  lead  date 
their  rank  from  the  day  I  ordered  them  to  march  out  of 
their  province  ;  not  only  juftice,  but  policy  requires  it, 
for  you  will  otherwife  lofe  a  moil  excellent  regiment. 

I  often  represented  to  Congreis  how  dilhcuk  or  impof- 
fible  it  would  be  to  engage,  or  retain  after  they  were  en- 
gaged, any  engineers  of  tolerable  qualification  on  the 
wretched  pay  eftablifhed.  The  two  appointed  to  my 
diftrit~t  have  [as  I  expected]  quitted  the  fervice  ;  it  was 
indeed  impoflible  for  them  to  exiit.  Stabler,  I  hear,  has 
entered  into  the  fervice  of  Virginia.  MafTenburgh  is  re- 
tained by  this  province,  at  lifty-four  dollars  per  month, 
a  fervant,  rations,  and  his  travelling  cxpences.  He  for- 
merly begged  his  difmiflion  from  mc,  aiTuring  me  (and, 
I  believe,  fincerely)  he  was  zealous  in  the  caufe  of  Ame- 
rica ;  that  he  would  willingly,  if  I  chofe  it,  enlift  as  a 
common  foldier ;  but  that  to  ride  about  the  continent 
from  north  *.o  fouth,  find  horfes,  and  appear  like  a  gen- 
tleman was  impoflible.  I  could  not  in  confidence  force 
him  to  ftarve,  (o  confented  to  his  engaging  in  this  fervice. 
I  am  now  without  a  lingle  engineer,  and  really  know  not 
how  to  carry  on  the  buiinefs.  I  hope  the  Board  will  con- 
sider the  neceflity  of  fupplying  me. 

I  fliall  now,  Sir,  conclude,  with  alluring  them,  that  I 
am, 

With  the  greatcd  refpecl, 

their  mod  obedient  humble  fervant, 
CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Richard  Peters,  Efq.  Secretary  to  the 
Board  of  War  and  Ordnance. 


StR.  Savannah,  in  Georgia,  23d  Auguft,  177^. 

YOUR  letter,  with  the  thanks  of  the  Continental  Con- 
grels, reached  me  at  Puriiburg.  The  approbation  of  the 
freely  chofe n  delegates  of  a  free  and  uncorrupt  people, 
is  certainly  the  higheft  honour  that  can  be  conferred  on 
mortal  men.  I  Shall  confider  it,  as  a  frefh  ftimulus  to 
A  a  excite 


(      266      ) 

excite  my  zeal  and  ardour  in  the  glorious  caufe  in  which 
I  am  engaged.  May  the  God  of  Righteoufnefs  profper 
your  arms  in  every  part  of  the  empire,  in  proportion  to 
the  juftice  with  winch  they  were  taken  up  !  Once  more 
let  me  exprefs  the  high  fatisfadlion  and  happinefs  I  feel 
in  this  honourable  teftimony ;  and  once  more,  let  me  af«- 
lure  the  United  States  of  America,  that  they  cannot  meet 
with  a  fervant  [whatever  may  be  my  abilities]  animated 
with  a  greater  degree  of  ardour  and  enthufiafm,  for  their 
fafety,  profperity  and  glory.  The  prefent  (late  of  this 
province,  its  ftrength  and  weaknefs,  I  fhall  tranfmit  to 
the  Board  of  War,  according  to  the  directions  I  have 
received  ;  and  let  me  entreat  you  to  be  perfuaded  that 
I  am,  Sir,  with  the  greateft  refpedl, 
Your  moft  obedient  and 

Very  humble  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE, 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock, 


Gentlemen,  Savannah,  Auguft  14th,  1776. 

ANY  irregularity  of  returns  of  the  forces  under  my 
command,  will  not,  I  hope,  be  imputed  to  me  ;  die  ex- 
ttnlive  btifinefs  of  luperintending  the  fafety  of  lb  vaft  a 
territory,  as  that  which  the  Congrefs  have  committed  to 
my  charge,  renders  it  impoffible  for  me  to  attend  to  the 
detail  of  the  regiments,  or,  in  any  reafonable  time,  to  col- 
Jecfc  and  digeft  the  various  returns ;  but  I  have  given  or- 
ders to  the  brigadiers  to  be  as  accurate  as  poffible  on 
this  fubje£t  in  their  refpective  diftricts,  and  have  no  rea- 
ibn,  from  my  knowledge  of  the  men,  to  think  they  will 
be  deficient.  As  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  prefent 
condition  of  this  colony,  of  its  ftrength  and  weaknefs,  is 
certainly  a  matter  of  very  ferious  confideration,  I  fhall 
lay  before  the  Board  the  belt  and  molt  accurate  infor- 
mation I  am  able. 

Georgia  is  a  ftate  of  much  greater  importance  to  the 
empire  of  America  than  generally  fuppofed,  at  leaft,  than 
what  I  myfelf  imagined  before  I  vifited  it.    The  variety 

of 


(     *67     ) 

of  navigable  rivers,  commodious  harbours,  and  fine  in- 
lets ;  the  prodigious  quantities  of  rice,  and  immenfe 
flocks  of  cattle,  both  on  the  iflands,  and  on  the  main  ; 
but  above  all  the  gentlenefs  and  falubrity  of  the  winter'' 
feafons,  with  the  conveniency  of  its  fituation  for  com- 
merce with  the  Welt-India  iflands,  would  render  it  a 
molt  valuable  pofieflion  to  the  enemy  ;  the  Altamaha,  a 
very  noble  river,  already  furnifhes  a  confiderable  quan- 
tity, and  may,  in  time,  furnifh  any  quantity  of  lum- 
ber ;  the  garrifon  of  St.  Auguftine,  and,  indeed,  the 
whole  province  of  Eaft  Florida,  draw  their  fubfidence 
from  Georgia  ;  and,  if  all  intercourfe  with  her  were  rut 
off,  that  nelt  of  robbers  and  pirates  would  probably  fall 
to  the  ground,  and  of  courie,  the  empire  of  the  United 
States  become  more  round  and  entire.  Thcfe  circum- 
fiances  fummed  up  together,  muft  evince  the  importance 
of  keeping  Georgia  or  any  part  of  it  out  of  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  •,  the  means  of  doing  it,  demands  the  utmolt 
attention.  I  have  turned  my  thoughts  to  the  fubjedt, 
and  fhallbeg  leave  to  fubmit  the  refult  to  the  confident- 
tion  of  the  Congrefs.  The  prefent  (late  of  the  ftrength  of 
this  colony,  confifl  of  Colonel  ft'Mntofh's  battalion,  a 
return  of  which,  is  here  enclofed,  a  company  of  indepen- 
dent artillery,  confiding  of  three  officers  and  twenty-three 
privates,  with  about  twenty-five  hundred  militia  of  all 
forts*-,  but  in  a  very  great  part  of  thcfe  (as  I  learn  from 
the  authority  of  their  own  captains)  very  little  confi-  ' 
dence  can  be  placed,  their  principles  being  extremely 
contaminated  by  a  muft  pernicious  banditti  of  enemies 
to  the  common  liberty.  M'Intofh's  battalion  is  really  a 
very  fine  one,  (one  of  the  bed,  I  think  on  the  conti- 
nent) but  as,  perhaps,  it  might  appear  a  harfh  talk,  to 
in  fid  on  this  battallion's  acting  with  the  neceffary  rigour 
againd  fome  of  their  neared  connections  and  relations, 
accufed  of  being  concerned  in  treafonable  practices  ;  it 
is  my  intention  to  remove  them  either  into  South  or 
North-Carolina,  where  they  can  be  more  ferviceable,  and 
have  an  opportunity  of  compleating  themfelves,  which 
in  this  date,  from  the  dearth  of  men,  is  impoffible,  and 

replace 


(     268     ) 

replace  them   with  an  equal  or  greater  number  from 
South-Carolina. 

Such  is  the  prefcnt  condition  of  the  ftrength  of  Geor- 
gia, very  far  from  being  adequate  to  its  defence.  My 
fcheme  for  its  fecurity  is,  as  row  galUes,  and  armed  boats 
are  fo  well  calculated  for  what  is  called  the  inland  navi- 
gation, give  them  an  infinite  advantage  over  veffels  mere- 
ly failing,  which  in  thefe  (trait  confined  waters  have  no 
room  for  manoeuvring  j  they  will  fecure  the  rivers  againft 
the  predatory  incurfions  of  the  enemy,  prevent  the  de- 
fertion  of  negroes,  fweep  the  coaft  clear  of  tenders  ; 
but,  above  all,  facilitate  the  means  of  the  different  ftates 
mutually  affilting  each  other  with  troops,  cannon,  provi- 
fion,  and  other  requifites,  which  is  now  effected  with 
difficulties,  flownefs,  and  monftrous  expence.  Three  gal- 
lies  are  already  on  the  Itocks  in  this  port,  and  we  have 
armed  and  equipped  feveral  boats  with  fwivels,  and  one 
gun  on  the  bow  of  each.  The  lead  of  them  capable  of 
containing  thirty  men,  and  rowed  with  fourteen  oars  ; 
tailors,  of  whom  we  hnd  ib  great  a  fcarcity,  are  not  ne- 
eeffary  for  this  fpecies  of  veffels,  the  foldiers  are  compe- 
tent to  the  bufinefs  >  befidcs  the  equipment  of  thefe  gal- 
lies  and  boats,  I  propoild  eftabltfhing  little  forts,  ov  ie- 
doubts,  in  certain  (ituations,  on  the  river  St..  Mary's, 
S.uilla,  Sapello,  and  Ahamaha,  which  may  enable  us  to 
make  incurfions  from  time  to  time,  when  eircumllances 
require  it,  into  Ealt-Florida,  and  render  it  dangerous  for 
them  to  make  attempts  of  a  fimilar  nature  into  Georgia. 
Thefe  redoubts,  or  little  ions,  will  likewife  ferve  as  places 
of  rendezvous,  refreshment,  and  retreat  for  bodies  of 
hoVfe  rangsrs  which  ought  continually  to  be  patroling  on 
the  frontier.  Such  are  the  belt  methods,  after  having 
confulted  the  moft  intelligent  people,  which,  in  my  opi- 
nion, can  "be  deviled  for  the  defence  and  fecurity  of  this 
ib.te,  unlefs,  indeed,  we  could  prevail  on  the  province* 
to  contract  their  frontier,  by  breaking  up  all  their  fettle-, 
ments  on  the  other  fide  of  the  Altamaha,  which,  to  me, 
I  confefs,  appears  a  wifer  and  more  ceconomical  men- 
lure  j  but  this,  I  am  afraid,  is  not  to  be  accomplifhed. 

i  mufl 


(       269       )        . 

I  muft  now  beg  leave  to  lay  before  the  board,  a  mat- 
ter of  the  higheft  concern,  and  which  certainly  demands 
the  mod  ferious  attention  of  Congrefs,  as,  unlefs  reme- 
died, it  may  not  only  diftrefs  the  circumftances  of  the 
public,  but  bring  a  difgrace  on  the  American  character  ; 
I  mean  the  unconfcionable  advantages  which  individu- 
als, merchants,  mechanics,  farmers,  and  planters  are  fuf- 
fered  to  take  of  the  public  neceffities.  If  boats,  wag- 
gons, horfes,  drugs,  clothing,  fkins,  neceflaries,  even  lit- 
tle refrelhments,  fuch  as  fruit  or  garden  fluff',  are  w. lin- 
ing for  the  loldiers,  no  price  being  regulated,  the  extor- 
tion is  monftrous  :  the  expences  of  the  war  mult  not 
only  be  prodigioully  fwelled  by  this  want  of  regulation, 
but  the  oiheers  and  foldiers  are  difgufted  to  the  fertice 
by  the  toleration  of  fuch  impolition  ;  for  inftance,  ill? 
Virginians  and  North-Carolinians  are  fo  much  out  of 
temper  with  Charlefton,  on  this  head,  that  mould  it  bo 
again  attacked,  and  the  ailiftance  of  thefe  troops  be  again 
requifite,  I  am  afraid  we  (hall  rind  a  dangerous  r 
nance  in  rhem  to  march,  when  ordered.  I  molt  de- 
voutly wiih,  therefore,  that  the  Congrefs  will  make  it  an 
object  to  remedy  this  evil.  Might  they  not  recommend 
or  enjoin  to  the  legiilatures  of  the  different  ftates,  to  ap- 
point a  committee  of  affeflbrs  from  their  refpeclive  bodies, 
to  fix  the  prices  of  the  different  articles  in  their  provin- 
ces? Whether  this  method  is  or  is  not  proper,  I  cannot 
pretend  to  fay  •>  bat  fomething,  I  muft  repeat,  ihould 
be  done. 

The  wafte,  difficulty,and  expence  arifmg  from  a  want 
of  method  in  provifioning  the  troops,  when  aifembled  in 
any  particular  fpot,  upon  an  emergency,  are  fo  great, 
that  magazines  ought  to  be  eftablifhed  in  every  province, 
more  particularly  in  thofe,  which  have  the  greater!  pro- 
bability of  being  attacked  :  by  thefe  means,  the  troops 
will  not  only  be  better  fed,  but  be  an  irnmenfe  fusing 
to  the  continent ;  for  the  contractors,  not  being  preflad 
for  time,  can,  at  their  leifure,  purchafe  every  fpecies  cf 
neceflaries  in  thefe  parts,  where  they  are  belt  and  cheap- 
cil ;  but,Avhen  a  great  and  fudden  demand  is  made,  ei- 
A  a  g  ther 


(     27o     ) 

ther  for  cattle,  corn,  fpirits,  8c c.     they  are   under  a  ne-, 
cefllty  of  taking  that  which  is  next  at  hand,  and   giving 
the  fellers  their  own  price.   On    this  confideration,   in 
concurrence  with  the  prefident  and   council  of  South- 
Carolina,  I  have  thought  it  expedient  to  eftablifli  fome 
magazines  in  South-Carolina,    of  pork,  beef,  corn,  &c. 
befides  ftraw  and    whilky,  which,  in  thefe  low,  damp 
countries,  are    abfolutely    neceflary  ;  at  all  events,  this 
eftablifhment  can  be  no  lofs  to  the  continent,  as  the  beef 
and  pork,  at  lead,    can  always,  with  advantage,  be  ex- 
ported to  the    Weft-Indies.     Were    I  at  a  lefs  diftance 
from  the  Congrefs,  I  mould  not  take  the  liberty  of  lay- 
ing out  a  fingle  dollar  without  having  obtained  their  ap- 
probation •,  but,  at  this  diftance,   I   muft  afiume    fuch  a 
power,  or  let  the  public  affairs  go  to  wreck,  and  of  courfe, 
prove  myfelf  totally  unworthy  of  the  great  truft  the  Con- 
grefs have  repofed  in  me. 
I  am,  Gentlemen, 

With   the  greateft  refpedl:, 

Your  mod  obedient,    and 

Very  humble  fervant, 

CHARLES    LEE. 
The  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance. 


Stf,  Savannah,  Aug.  50th,  1776. 

IT  will  be  necefTary  in  addvefling  a  letter  of  this  na- 
ture, fo  abruptly  to  your  Excellency,  that  I  fhould  in- 
form you  who  the  writer  is.  I  have  ferved  as  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  Engiifh  fervice,  colonel  in  the  Portuguefe, 
afterwards  as  aid  de  camp  to  his  Polifh  majefty,  with 
the  rank  of  major  general.  Having  purchafed  a  fmall 
eftate  in  America,  I  had  determined  to  retire,  for  the  re- 
mainder of  my  days,  to  a  peaceful  afylum  :  when  the  ty- 
jrayny  of  the  miniftry,  and  court  of  GreatBritain,  forced 
this  continent  to  arms,  for  the  prefervation  of  their  liber* 
ties,  I  was  called,  by  the  voice  of  the  people,  to  the  rank 
of  fecond  in  command.     I  make  no  doubt  of  this  letter's 

being 


(   vn    ) 

being  kindly  received  by  your  Excellency,   both  in  the 
character  of  a  good  Frenchman,  and  friend,  to  humanity. 
The  prefent  conjuncture  of  affairs  renders  the  intereft 
of  France  and  of  this  continent  one  and  the  fame  thing  ; 
every  obfervation  drawn  from  hiftory  muft   evince,  that 
it  was  the  exclufive  commerce  of  thefe  colonies,  which 
enabled  Great  Britain  to  cope  with  France,  gave    to  her 
a  decided  fuperiority  in  marine,  and,  of  courfe,  enabled 
her  in  the  frequent  wars  betwixt  the  two  nations  to  re- 
duce her  rival  to  the  laft  extremity.     This  was  the  cafe, 
fo  peculiarly  in  the  laft  war,  that  had  the   Britifh   mini- 
ftry  perfevered,  Heaven   knows   what   would  have  been 
the  fate  of  France.     It  follows,  that  if  France  can  ob- 
tain the  monopoly,  or  the  greater  part  of  this  commerce, 
her  opulence,  ftrength,  and  profperity,  muft  grow  to  a 
prodigious  height  •,  and  nothing  can   be  more   certain, 
than  that,  if  America  is  enabled  to  preferve  the  indepen- 
dence flic  has  now  declared,  the  greater  part  of  this  com- 
merce, if  not  the  monopoly,  muff   fall  to  the  fhare  of 
France. 

The  imaginary  plans  of  conqueft  of  Lewis  the  Four- 
teenth, had  they  been  realized,  would  not  have  efta- 
blifhed  the  power  of  that  monarchy,  on  lb  folid  and 
permanent  a  bafts,  as  the  fimpleafliftancc,  or  rather  friend- 
ly intereourfe  with  this  continent,  will  inevitably  give. 
Without  injuftice  or  the  colour  of  injuftice,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  only  afluming  the  patronage  of  the  rights  of 
mankind,  France  has  now  in  her  power  to  become  not 
only  the  greatelt,  but  the  moft  truly  glorious  monarchy 
which  has  appeared  on  the  ftage  of  the  world.  In  the 
ririt  place,  her  poffeifions  in  the  Iflands  will  be  fecured 
againft  all  poffibility  of  attack  ;  the  Royal  Revenues 
immenfely  increafed,  her  people  eafed,  of  their  prefent 
burdens,  an  eternal  incitement  be  prefented  to  their  in- 
duftry,  and  the  means  of  increafe  by  the  facility  of  pro- 
viding fuftenance  for  their  families  multiplied.  In  fhort, 
fliere  is  no  faying  what  degree  of  eminence,  happinefs, 
and  glory,  (lie  may  derive  from  the  independence  of  this 
continent.     Some  vifionary  writers  have  indeed  afierted, 

that 


(       *P       ) 

that  could  this  country  once  fliake  off  her  European 
trammels,  it  would  foon  become  more  formidable  alone, 
from  the  virtue  andjmergy,  natural  to  a  young  people, 
than  Great  Britain  with  her  colonies  united  in  a  ftate  of 
dependency.  But  the  men  who  have  built  fuch  hypo- 
thefes  muft  be  utter  ftrangers  to  the  manners,  genius, 
difpofition,  turn  of  mind,  and  circumftances  of  the  con- 
tinent. Their  difpofition  is  manifeftly  to  agriculture, 
andthefimple  life  of  fhepherds.  As  long  as  vaft  tracts 
of  land  remain  unoccupied,  to  which  they  can  fend  colo- 
nies (if  I  may  fo  exprefs  it)  of  their  offspring,  they  will 
never  entertain  a  thought  of  marine  or  manufactures. 
Their  ideas  are  fclely  confined  to  labour  and  to  planting, 
for  thofe  nations,  who  can,  on  the  cheapeft  terms,  fur- 
rrifh  them  with  the  neceffary  untenfils  for  labouring  and 
planting,  and  cloaths  for  their  families  ;  and  till  the 
whole  vaft  extent  of  continent  is  f  ally  flocked  with  peo- 
ple,, they  will  never  entertain  another  idea.  This  can- 
not be  effected  for  ages  ;  and  what  then  may  happen,  it 
it  out  of  the  line  of  politicians  to  lay  any  ftrefs  upon  : 
molt  probably,  they  will  be  employed  in  wars  amongft 
themfelves,  before  they  aim  at  foreign  conquefts.  In 
ihort,  the  apprehenfion  is  too  remote  to  roufe  the  jea- 
loufy.of  any  reafonabie  citizen  of  a  foreign  State.  On 
the  other  hand  it  is  worthy  your  Excellency's,  attention, 
to  con  fid er  what  will  be  the  confequences,  mould  Great 
Britain  fucceed  in  the  prefent  con  reft.  America,  it  is 
true,  will  be  wretched  and  enflaved  ;  but  a  number  of 
flaves  may  compofe  a  formidable  army  and  fleet.  The 
proximity  of  fttuation,  with  fo  great  a  force,  entirely  at 
the  difpofal  of  Great  Britain,  will  put  it  in  her  power  to 
take  poffeffion  of  your  illands  on  the  firft  rupture.  "With- 
out pretending  to  the  fpirit  of  prophecy,  fuch,  I  can  af- 
fert,  will  be  the  event  of  the  next  war  ;  upon  the  whole, 
I  muft  repeat,  that  it  is  for  the  intereft,  as  well  as  gl 
of  France,  to  furnifh  us  with  every  means  of  fupporti 
our  liberties,  to  effe£t  which,  we  only  demand  a  conft 
fyftematic  fupply  of  the  neceffaries  of  war.  We  do  not 
require  any  aid  of  men,  we  have  numbers,  and,  I  be- 
lieve, 


i& 


(     273     ) 

licve,  courage  fn fTiclent  to  carry  us  triumphantly  through 
the  ftruggle,  We  require  fmall  arms,  powder,  iicidpieces, 
wollcn  and  linen  to  cloath  our  troops  ;  alio  drugs,  parti- 
cularly bark  :  in  return  for  which,  every  neceilary  pro- 
vifion  for  your  iflands  may  be  expected,  as  rice,  corn, 
lumber,  &c.  If,  indeed,  you  could  fpare  us  a  few  able 
engineers,  and  artillery  officers,  they  may  depend  upon 
an  honourable  reception  and  comfortable  'eftablifhment. 
The  Sieur  de  la  Plain,  one  of  your  countrymen,  now 
engaged  in  the  caufe  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
will  have  the  honour  of  delivering  this  letter  to  your  ex- 
cellency. I  have  no  doubt  of  his  being  received  with 
that  politenefs,  and  kindr.efs,  to  be  expected  from  a  gen- 
tleman of  your  r  ink  and  character. 

I  am,  with  the  higheft  refpecl, 
Your  Excellency's 

Mod  obedient  fervant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
His  Excellency  the  Governor 
at  Cape  Francois. 


CHARACTER  of  GENERAL  HOWE. 


Gtunp,  at  Valley-Forjrc,  JiMe  4th,  1--?, 
Mv    PEAR    Rush, 

THOUGH  1  had  no  occafion  for  frefh  alTuranccs  of 
your  friendfllip,  I  cannot  help  being  much  pleafed  with 
the  warmth  which  your  letter,  delivered  to  me  by  Mr. 
Hall,  breathes  ;  and,  I  hope,  it  is  unneceilary  to  aimre 
you,  that  my  ientiments,  with  relpeot  to  you  are  corrci- 

■J!'lt. 

You  will  tJiink  it  odd,  that  I  fliould  feem  to  be  an 
apologiil  for  General  Howe  :  I  know  not  how  it  hap- 
,  but  when  I  have  taken  prejudices  in  favour,  or 
againft  a  man,  I  find  it  a  difficulty  in  fhaking  them  oft". 
From  my  lirll  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Howe,  I  liked 
him  :  1  thought    him  friendly,    candid,  good   natured, 

bra\  e, 


(  m  ) 

brave,  and  rather  fenfible  than  the  reverfe.  I  believe 
ftill,  that  hejs  naturally  fo  ;  but  a  corrupt,  or  more  pro- 
perly, no  education,  the  fafhion  of  the  times,  and  the 
reigning  idolatry  among  the  Knglifli,  (particularly  the 
foldiery)  for  every  fceptered  calf,  ioolfy  hog,  or  afs,  have 
fo  totally  preverted  his  under  Handing  and  heart,  that 
private  friendfhip  has  not  force  fufficient  to  keep  a  door 
open  for  the  admittance  of  mercy  towards  political  here- 
tics. He  was  befides,  perfuaded  that  I  was  doubly  cri- 
minal, both  as  a  traitor  and  deferter.  In  fhort,  fo  totally 
was  he  inebriated  with  this  idea,  that  I  am  covinced  he 
would  have  thought  himfelf  both  political  and  morally 
damned  had  he  adted  any  other  part  than  what  he  did. 
He  is,  befides,  the  molt  indolent  of  mortals  :  never  took 
farther  pains  to  examine  the  merits  or  demerits  of  the 
caufe  in  which  he  was  engaged,  than  merely  to  recollect, 
that  Great  Britain  was  faid  to  be  the  mother  country, 
George  the  Third  King  of  Great  Britain,  that  the  parli- 
ament was  called  the  reprefentatives  of  Great  Britain, 
that  the  King  and  parliament  formed  the  fupreme  pow- 
er, that  a  fupreme  power  is  abfolute  and  uncontrolable, 
that  all  refiftance  muft,confequently,  be  rebellion;  but, 
above  all,  that  he  was  a  foldier,  and  bound  to  obey  in 
all  cafes  whatever. 

Thefe  are  his  notions,  and  this  his  logic  ;  but  through 
thefe  abfurdities  I  could  diftinguifh,  when  he  was  left  to 
himfelf,  rays  of  friendfhip  and  good  nature  breaking  out. 
It  is  true,  he  was  feldom  left  to  himfelf ;  for  never  poor 
mortal,  thruft  into  high  ftation,  was  furrounded  by  fuch 
fools  and  fcoundrels.  M'Kenfey,  Balfour,  Galloway, 
were  his  counfellors  I  they  urged  him  to  all  his  ac"t.s  of 
harfhnefs  ;  they  were  his  fcribes  :  all  the  damned  fluff 
which  was  iffued  to  the  aftonifhed  world  was  theirs.  I 
believe  he  fcarcely  ever  read  the  letters  he  figned.  You 
willfcarcely  believe  it,  but  I  can  affure  you  as  a  fact, 
that  he  never  read  the  curious  proclamation,  iffued  at 
the  head  of  Elk,  till  three  days  after  it  was  publifhed. 
You  will  fay,  that  I  am  drawing  my  friend  Howe  in 
more  ridiculous  colours  than  he  has  yet  been  reprefented 


(    275    ) 

In  ;  but  this  is  his  real  character.  He  is  naturally  good 
humoured,  complifant,  but  illeterate  and  indolent  to  the 
Jail  degree,  unlefs  as  an  executive  foldier,  in  which  capa- 
city he  is  all  fire  and  activity,  brave  and  cool  as  Julius 
Cctfar.  His  underftanding  is,  as  I  obferved  before,  ra- 
ther good  than  otherwife  ;  but  was  totally  confounded 
and  ftupified  by  the  immenfity  of  the  talk  impofed  upon 
him,  He  fhut  his  eyes,  fought  his  battles,  drank  his  bot- 
tle, had  his  little  whore,  advifed  with  his  counfellors, 
received  his  orders  from  North  and  Germain,  (one  more 
abfurd  than  the  other)  took  Galloway's  opinion,  fhut  his 
eyes,  fought  again,  and  is  now,  I  fuppofe  to  be  called  to 
account  for  acting  according  to  inftructions ;  but,  I 
believe,  his  eyes  are  now  opened  j  he  fees  he  has  been 
an  instrument  of  wickednefs  and  folly  :  indeed,  when  I 
obferved  it  to  him,  he  not  only  took  patiently  the  obferv- 
vation,  but  indirectly  aflented  to  the  truth  of  it.  He 
made,  at  the  fame  time,  as  far  as  his  mauvais  honte  would 
permit,  an  apology  for  his  treatment  of  me. 

Thus  far  with  regard  to  Mr.  Howe.  You  are  ftruck 
with  the  great  events,  changes,  and  new  characters  which 
have  appeared  on  the  ftage  fince  I  faw  you  laft ;  but  I 
am  more  ftruck  with  the  admirable  efficacy  of  blunders. 
It  feemed  to  be  a  trial  of  fkill  which  party  fjiould  out  do 
the  other  ;  and  it  is  hard  to  fay  which  played  the  deepeft 
ftrokes  j  but  it  was  a  capital  one  of  ours,  which  certainly 
gave  the  happy  turn  which  affairs  have  taken.  Upon 
my  foul,  it  was  time  for  Fortune  to  interpofe,  or  we  were 
inevitably  loft  ;  but  this  we  will  talk  over  another  time. 
I  fuppofe  we  fhall  (cc  one  another  at  Philadelphia,  very 
foon,  in  attendance.     God  blefsyou  ! 

Your  afteclionatelv, 

CHARLES  LEE. 


Philadelphia,  Qft.  30th,  1778 

WHEN  it  is  considered  I  hold  a  high  rank  in  the 
fervice  of  one  of  the  molt  refpectable  princes  of  Europe; 
that  I  have  been  honoured  with  the  truft  of  the  fecoiul 

command 


I  276  ) 

command  in  your  army  •,  that  I  have  hitherto  ferved, 
with  fome  reputation,  as  a  foldier  ;  that  I  now  ftand  char- 
ged, and  have  been  actually  tried  for  fome  of  the 
mod  heinous  military  crimes  ;  and,  to  the  aftonifhment, 
not  only  of  myfelf,  but,  I  can  venture  to  lay,  of  every 
man  in  the  army  who  was  prefent  at  this  court,  and  of 
every  man  out  of  the  army  who  has  read  the  proceedings, 
found  guilty  of  thefe  crimes  ;  when,  at  the  fame  time, 
I  am  myfelf  inflexibly  perfuaded,  that  I  am  not  only 
guiltlefs,  but  that  the  fuccefs  of  the  28th  of  June  ought 
principally,  in  juftice,  to  be  afcribed  to  me  •,  I  fay,  Sir, 
when  thefe  circumftances  are  confidered,  it  mud  be  al- 
lowed that  my  prefent  fituation  is  extremely  aukward  ; 
that  a  man  of  my  military  rank,  lingering  in  fufpenfe, 
whilft  his  fame  and  fortune  are  Jab  jtulice,  is  rather  a 
difgraceful  fpectacle  ;  that  it  is  natural  for  him  to  wifh, 
and  reafonable  for  him  to  requeft,  that  Congrefs  will  no 
longer  delay  the  final  decifion  of  my  fate.  An  additi- 
onal motive  for  my  requefting  it  is,  that  I  find  Congrefs 
is  every  day  growing  thinner  ;  and,  I  confefs,  that  I 
could  moft  ardently  wifh,  that  the  Congrefs  was  not  on- 
ly as  complete  as  poffible  in  numbers,  but  that,  if  it  was 
agreeable  to  the  rules  of  the  Houfe,  that  the  people  at 
large  might  be  admitted  to  form  an  audience  when  the 
difcufhon  is  entered  into,  of  the  juftice  or  iniquity,  wif- 
dom  or  abfurdity,  of  the  fentence  which  has  been  parted 
upon  me.  I  do  now,  Sir,  therefore,  molt  humbly,  but 
earneftly,  entreat,  that  a  day  may  be  immediately  fixed 
for  the  final  determination  of  this  affair. 

I  am,  Sir  with  the  greateft  refpeft. 

Your  moftobedient  humble  fervant, 
CHARLES  LEE. 
His  Excellency  Henry  Laurens,  Pref. 


Madam,  Philadelphia,  Dec.  20th.   177S. 

WHEN  an  officer  of  the  refpecfcxble  rank  I  bear  is 

grofsly  traduced  and  calumniated,  it  is  incumbent  on  him 

to  clear  up  the  affair  to  the  world,  with  as  little  delay  as 

poflible. 


C  in  1 

pofiibje.  The  fpirit  of  defamation  and  calumny  (I  am 
ibrry  to  fay  it )  is  grown  to  a  prodigious  and  intolerable 
height  on  this  continent.  If  you  had  accuicd  me  of  a 
tleiigii  $o  procraftinate  the  war,  or  of  holding  a  treafona- 
ble  correfpondence  with  the  enemy,  I  could  have  borne 
it :  this  I  am  ufed  to  ;  and  this  happened  to  the  great 
Fabius  Maximus.  If  you  had  accufed  me  of  getting 
drunk  as  often  as  I  could  get  liquor,  as  two  Alexanders, 
the  Great  have  been  charged  with  this  vice,  I  fhould, 
perhaps,  have  fat  patient  under  the  imputation  •,  or,  even 
if  you  had  given  the  plaineft  hints,  that  I  had  ftolen  die 
foldiers  fhirts,  this  I  could  have  put  up  with,  as  the  great 
Duke  of  Marlborough  would  have  been  an  example  ;  or 
if  you  had  contented  ycurfelf  with  nfferting,  that  1  was 
fo  abominable  a  floven  as  never  to  part  with  my  fhirt, 
until  my  lliirt  parted  with  me,  the  anecdotes  of  my  illuf- 
trious  namefake  of  Sweden  *  would  1  ive  adminifi 
fome  comfort  to  me.  But  the  calumny  you  have,  in  the 
fertility  of  your  malicious  wit,  chofen  to  invent,  is  of  fo 
new,  fo  unprecedented,  and  fo  helliih  a  kind,  as  would 
make  Job  himfelf  fwear  like  a  Virginia  Colonel. 

Is  it  pollible  that  the  celebrated  Mils  F s,t  a  lady 

who  has  had  every  human  and  divine  advantage,  who 
has  read  [or,  at  leaft,  might  have  read]  in  the  original.;, 
the  new  and  old  teftaments  ;  [thovrh  I  am  afraid  ttie 
too  feldom  looks  even  into  the  tranflations  :]  I  lay,  is  it 
pollible  that  Mifs  F s,  with  every  human  and  di- 
vine advantage,  who  might,  and  ought  to  have  read  the** 
two  good  books,  which  [an  old  WcJfh  nunc,  whole  wide 
was  reckoned  the  belt  preacher  in  Merioneihfhire.  allured 

lit 
it 


ry  her  malignity  fo  far  in  the  preferice  of  three  molt  re- 
fpeetable  perfonages  ;  (one  of  the  oldelt  religion  in  the 
world,  one  of  the  newell ;  for  he  is  a  new-light  man  ; 

and 
Bb 

*  Ct-arles  XII. 

J  Thi'  joung  lady  was  a  jewels, 


(     278     ) 

and  tHe  other,  moll  probably,  of  no  religion  at  all,  as  lie 
isanEnglifh  failor  ;)  but   I  demand  it  again  and   again, 

is  it  poflible,  that  Mifs  F s  fhould  affert  it   in  the 

prefence  of  thefe  refpeclabic  perfcnages,  "That  I  wore 
green  breeches  patched  with  leather  f"  To  convict  you, 
therefore,  of  the  falfehood  of  this  moil  diabolical  llan- 
der  ;  to  put  you  to  eternal  filence  (if  you  are  not  pall  all 
grace)  and  to  cover  you  with  a  much  larger  patch  of  in- 
famy than  you  have  wantonly  endeavoured  to  fix  on  my 
breeches,  I  have  thought  proper,  by  the  advice  of  three 
very  grave  friends  (lawyers  and  members  of  Congrefs, 
of  courfe  excellent  judges  in  dtikate  points  of  honour) 
to  fend  you  the  faid  breeches,  and,  with  the  confeicufnefs 
of  truth  on  my  fide,  to  fubmit  them  to  the  moll  fevere  in- 
ipection  and  icrutiny  of  you  and  all  thofe  who  may  have 
ejitered  into  this  wicked  cabal  againlt  my  honour  and  re- 
putation. I  fay,  I  dare  you  and  your  whole  junto,  to  your 
v.orft  :  turn  them,  examine  them,  infide  and  outfide,  and 
if  vou  find  them  to  be  green  breeches  patched  with  lea- 
ther,and  not  actually  legitimate  Jlerry  vallies*  fuch  as  his 
Majefty  of  Poland  wears, (who,  let  «*e  tell  you,  is  a  man 
that  has  made  more  fainions  than  all  your  knights  of  the 
Mefchianza  %  put  together,  notwithstanding  their  beau- 
tics  :)  I  repeat  it,  [though  I  am  almoft  out  of  breath  with 
repetitions  and  parenthefes]  that  if  thefe  are  proved  to 
be  patched  green  breeches,  and  not  real  legitimate  fher- 
ry  vallies,  [which  a  man  of  the  firft  bon  ton  might  be 
proud  cf]  I  will  fubmit  in  filence  to  all  the  fcurrility 
which  I  have  no  doubt,  you  and  your  abettors  are  pre- 
pared to  pour  out  againft  me,  in  the  public  papers,  on 
this  important  and  interefting  occafion.  But,  Madam  ! 
Madam  !  reputation  [as  «  Common  Senfc,"  very  fenfi- 
bly,  though  not  very  uncommonly  obferves,]  is  a  ferious 
thing.     You  have  already  injured  me  in  the  tendered 

part, 

*  A  kind  of  long  breeches  reaching  to  the  ancle,  with  a  broad  ftripe 
of  leather  on  the  infide  of  the  thigh,  for  the  conveniency  of  riding. 

}  An  entertainment  given  by  General  Howe  juft  before  the  evacua- 
tion of  Philadelphia,  at  which  were  introduced  Tilts  and  Tournaments 
in  favour  of  the  ladies,  of  whom  Mils  F s  was  one. 


(     279     ) 

part,  and  I  demand  fatisfatlion  ;  and  as  you  cannot  be 
ignorant  of  the  laws  of  duelling,  having  converted  with 
fo  many  Irilh  officers,  whole  favourite  topic  it  is,  particu- 
larly in  the  company  of  ladies,  I  infift  on  the  privilege  of 
the  injured  partv,  which  is,  to  name  his  hour  and  wea- 
pons ;  and  as  I  intend  it  to  be  a  very  ferious  aiTair,  will 
not  admit  of  anv  feconds  ;    and  you    may  depend  upon 

it,  Mifs  F s,  that,  whatever    may  be  your  fpirit  on 

the  becafion,  the  world  ihali  never  accufe  General  L  -  - 
with  having  turned  his  back  upon  \ou.  In  the  mean 
time, 

I  am 

Yours, 

C.  L  -  -  , 
Mils  F ■  s,  Phi.adelphia. 

P.  S.  I  have  communicated  the  affair  only  to  my  con- 
fidential friend -,   who   has   mentioned  it  to   no 

more  than  fevcii  members  of  Congrefs  and  nineteen  wo- 
men, fix  oi  whom  are  old  maids  ;  fo  that  there  is  no  dan- 
g^  1  of  its  taking  wind  on  my  fide  ;  and  I  hope,  you  will 
be  equally  guarded  on  your  part. 


Madam,  Philadelphia,  Jr.n.   29th,  1779, 

NOTHING  has  happened  to  me  of  late,  that  has 
given  me  more. concern  than  the  ferious  light  in  which  I 
am  told  you  are  perfuaded  to  confider  the  hurmlefs  jo- 
cular letter  I  wrote  to  you  ;  I  fay,  perfuaded  to  confider  ; 
for  on  the  firft  receipt  of  it,  when  you  were  directed  alone 
by  your  own  excellent  understanding,  you  conceived  it  as 
it  was  meant,  an  innocentyVw  d'ej 

I  uo  not  mean  to  compliment,  when  I  affure  vou,  up- 
on my  honour,  that  it  was  the  gcod  opinion  I  had  of 
your  underftanding  which  encouraged  me  to  indulge  my- 
felf  in  this  piece  of  raillery,  which  is  in  effect,  not  in  the 
lealt  directed  againft  you,  but  againft  myfclf  and  fome 

others  ; 


(     28o     ) 

others;  if  it   contains  any  fatire,  you  arc  obviouflv  the 
vehicle,  not  the  obje£t. 

My  acquaintance  with  you  is  too  (lender  to  take  any 
liberties  which  border  on  familiarity ;  and  I  had  been 
taught  to  believe,  that  the  liberality  of  your  mind  and 
difpofition,  would  be  pleafed  with  any  effort  to  make  you 
laugh  for  a  moment  in  thefe  melancholly  times.  Upon 
the  word  of  an  iioneft  man,  if  I  had  thought  a  fingle  fen- 
tence  of  this  trafh  could  have  given  you  uncafinel's,  I 
would  fooner  have  put  my  hand  into  the  fire  than  have 
written  it.  Thank  God,  I  have  not  that  petulant  itch 
of  fcribbling:and  vain  ambition  of  palling  for  a  wit,  as  to 

Give  virtue  fcandal,  innocence  a  fear, 
Or  from  the  foft-ey'd  virgin  fteal  a  tear. 

And  tofpeak  my  real  thoughts,  I  am  thoroughly  perfwad- 
cd,  that  you  mull  fuffer  yourfelf  to  be  biaffed  by  people 
infinitelv  your  inferiors  in  capacity  *,  and  if  you  really 
are  offended  by  what  nobody,  who  is  not  below  medio- 
crity in  underltanding,  can  miftake  for  any  thing  but  an 
harmlefs  joke,  founded  on  the  good  opinion  of  the  per- 
fon  to  whom  it  is  addreffed,  I  confefs  I  have  been  much 
deceived  in  you.  -  I  mult,  therefore,  think,  that  by  cort- 
fulting  yourfelf  alone,  you  will  confider  it  in  its  proper 
light,  and  believe  me  to  be,  with  the  greateft  refpect, 
Madam, 

Your  moft  obedient, 

And  very  humble  fervant, 

C L 

To  Mifs  F s,  Philadelphia. 


My  dear  Sister,  FratoRio.  Sept.  24111,1779. 

I  HAVE  juft  received  your  letter  of  January  the  3d  : 
I  know  not  whether  you  have  received  them,  but  in  the 
courfe  of  this  and  the  lait  year,  I  wrote  you  two  letters, 
informing  you  fully  of  my  health  and  ipirits  :  the  two 
points  which,  from  your  natural  tendcrnefs  and  affection, 

I  know 


•(      281      ) 

I  know  you  muft  be  molt  felicitous  about ;  they  I 
both,  thank  Heaven,  and  the  good  constitution  we  receiv- 
ed from  our  father  and  mother,  never  failed  me  a  (ingle 
day  ;  and  until  I  am  confeious  of  having  committed  fomc 
•unworthy  action,  which,  I  can  aflure  you,  is  not  at  prre- 
icnt  the  cafe,  the  iniquity  of  men  fliall  never  bear  me 
down.  I  have,  it  is  true,  uneafy  feelings,  but  not  on  my 
own  peribnal  account.  I  feel  for  the  empire  of  Great 
Britain,  I  feel  for  the  fortunes  of  my  relations  and  friends, 
which  mult  receive  a  dreadful  ihock  in  this  great  eonvul- 
fion.  As  to  my  perfonal  honour,  for  I  fuppofe  you  al- 
lude to  the  affair  of  Monmouth,  all  I  fliall  fay  is,  that  as 
I  believe  the  proceedings  of  the  court  have  been  fent  ta 
England,  and  as  you  have  eyes  to  read,  and  capacity  to 
judge  and  make  proper  comments,  I  may  be  quite  eafy  on 
the  fubject. 

What  has  not  our  quondam  friend  Gage  to  anfwer  for? 
I  laboured,  at  Bofton,  by  a  letter,  to  open  his  eyes,  and 
he  treated  my  efforts  as  the  effects  of  republican  infanity. 
Had  he  liftened  to  me,  the  empire  of  Great  Britain  would 
have  itood  j  the  affection  and  allegiance  of  this  great  peo- 
ple continued  for  ages.  He  is,  in  fact,  anfv/erablc,  for 
the  fubverfion  of  the  Britiih  empire,  and  for  the  blood 
of,  at  lealt,  one  hundred  thoufand  Englifhrnen,  or  the 
immediate  descendants  of  Englifhrnen.  I  fancy  too,  by 
this  time,  Lord  Piercy  and  General  Burgoyne  lament 
that  they  confidered  my  letters  as  the  ebullition  of  mad- 
nefs  or  faction.  But  as  my  letter  muft  be  opened  before 
it  reaches  you,  any  thing  like  politics  mull  be  improper. 
God  blef&  you  my  dear  filter.  My  love  to  the  Town-' 
(liends,  Hunts,  Buuburys,  Mrs.  Hinks,  and  the  Barrets. 
Your's,  molt  affectionately, 

CHARLES  LEE. 

Mrs.  Sidney  Lee,  Chefter. 


Cc  My 


C    282    ) 

m**t  dear  Sister,  Virginia,   June  vd,  P7S2. 

I  HE  other  day,  by  a  kind  acl  of  Providence,  a  letter 
of  yours  fell  into  my  hands,  of  folate  date  as  the  20th 
of  March,  and  what  is  more,  it  had  the  appearance  of  ne- 
ver having  been  opened.  You  will  better  conceive,  than 
I  can  exprefs,  the  pleafure  which  I  received  from  it  ; 
for  I  allure  you,  that  my  American  enthufiafm  is  at  pre- 
fent  fo  far  worn  off,  that  the  greateft  fatisfa£Hon  I  can 
receive,  is  to  be  informed  of  the  health  and  welfare  of 
my  Englifh  friends,  who,  with  all  their  political  fins,  cor- 
ruptions and  follies,  ftill  poflefs  more  virtues,  at  leait,  as 
individuals,  than  all  the  nations  of  the  earth.  As  to  the 
Americans,  though  I  once  thought  otherwife,  when  their 
(characters  are  impartially  and  minutely  difcufled,  I  am 
fure  they  will  appear  not  only  deftitute  of  the  perfonal 
virtues  and  good  qualities,  which  render  thofe  they  de- 
fended from  fo  eftimabie  in  the  eyes  of  other  nations, 
fuch  as  truth,  honefly,  fnicerity,  and  good  understanding; 
but  lam  muchmiftaken,  if  the  great  public  qualities  which 
you  at  a  diftance  fuppofe  them  to  be  endowed  with,  will 
it  and  a  fcrutiny  •,  but  a  fcrutiny  of  this  kind,  in  a  letter, 
is  not  poflible  :  all  that  I  fhall  lay  is,  that  the  New  Eng- 
landmen  excepted,  the  reft  of  the  Americans,  though 
they  fancy  and  call  themfelves  republicans,  have  not  a 
{ingle  republicnn  qualification  or  idea.  They  have  al- 
ways a  god  of  the  day,  whole  infallibility  is  not  to  be  dis- 
puted: to  him  all  the  people  mult  bow  down  and  fing 
ilofannas. . 

You  are  curious,  my  dear  filter,  on  the  Subject  of  my 
finances,  and  are  deiirous  to  know  whether  thefe  peo- 
ple, to  whom  1  have  facriiiced  every  thing,  have  fhewn 
the  fame  black  ingratitude  with  reipect  to  my  circum- 
Iteuaoes  as  they  have  in  other  matters  •,  I  can  aflure  you, 
then,  that  their  actions  are  all  of  a  peice.  Was  it  not 
fas  the  friendship  of  Mr  Robert  Morris  and  a  fortunate 
purchafe  I  made,  more  by  luck  than  cunning,  I  might 
have  begged  in  the  ftreets,  but  without  much  chance  of 
being  relieved  ;  not  but  that,  to  be  juSt,  there  are  many 
exceptions  to  the  general  character  of  the  Americans,. 

both 


<     283     ) 

both  in  and  out  of  the  army,  and  I  think  the  greater 
number  are  of  the  latter  clafs,  men  of  fome  honour,  and 
who,  I  believe,  have,  from  the  beginning,  acled  on  prin- 
ciple j  and  all  thefe  I  may,  without  vanity,  fay,  have 
been  my  friends  and  advocates.  Among  the  worthies  of 
America  1  reckon  Mr.  Robert  Morris  of  Philadelphia  ; 
Richard  Henry  Lee  of  Virginia ;  Adams  and  Lovel, 
and  fome  others,  of  New-England  ;  the  Morris's  of  New- 
York  j  and  Dr.  Rufh  of  Philadelphia.  In  the  army  there 
are  many  worthy  to  be  mentioned,  Generals  Schuyler, 
Mifflin,  Sullivan,  Muhlenburgh,  Wayne,  "Wcedon,  Green, 
Knox,  &c. 

I  have  been  particularly  fortunate  in  my  aid  de  camps 
— all  young  gentlemen  of  the  belt  families,  fortunes, 
and  education  of  this  continent  j  but  above  all,  I  mould 
mention  young  Colonel  Harry  Lee,  who  has  fignalized 
himfclf  extremely  in  this  accurfed  conteft,  the  ruinous 
confequences  of  which  to  the  whole  empire,  I  predicted 
to  Lord  Piercy  and  to  my  friend  General  Burgoyne.  To 
do  the  Americans  juftice,  they  certainly  were  not  the 
aggrefTors,  but  the  retrofpec~t  now  is  of  no  ufe.  In  all 
civil  contefts  the  people,  in  general,  have  not  been  the 
aggrefTors  ;  they  only  wifh  to  defend,  not  to  encroach. 
The  monarchs  or  magnates  generally  commence  by  their 
oppvefiions.  Witnels  the  dilputes  betwixt  the  patricians 
and  the  plebeiansof  Rome,  and  our  wars  in  the  time  of 
Charles  t;<e  Firft  ;  but  the  people  in  the  conteft  forget  the 
principles  on  winch  they  lit  out,  which  ultimately  brings 
deftruction  on  both  parties;  and  this  I  extremely  appre- 
hend will  be  the  cafe  at  prefent.  I  fhall  now  quit  the 
labyrinths  of  politics,  and  return  to  the  fubject  of  my 
own  finances.  Mr.  Mure  has  ufed  me  molt  cruelly 
and  villanoully  :  notwithstanding  the  vafl  fums  he  owes 
n.e,  he  has  protefted  a  bill  of  three  hundred  pound.-, 
which  has  thrown  me  into  unspeakable  diftrefs.  He  has 
afre&ed  a  delicacy  in  honouring  the  bjlls  of  a  rebel  ;  but 
if  he  will  conluk  the  proclamation  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
in  the  year  feventy-eight,  he  will  find  that  I  am  exempt- 
ed from  the  apprehenuon  of  confiscation  by  the  terms  of 

this 


(     284     } 


this  proclamation,  which  declares,  That  no  man,  from 
the  date  hereof,  who  does  not  pofitively  ac~t  in  a  civil  or 
n;ilitary  capacity,  is  fubje£l  to  the  confifcation  of  his 
property  ;  but  as  I  have  reafon  to  think  that  the  man 
will  avail  himfelf  of  every  chicane,  when  money  is  in  the 
cafe,  I  mull  entreat  that  you  will  urge  Sir  Charles  Bun- 
bury  -md  Davers  to  endeavour  to  influence  him,  at  lead 
to  furnifh  Mr.  Garton,  for  my  ufe,  with  live,  four,  or  at 
leafl  three  hundred  pounds  until  the  contefi:  is  over,  and 
the  law,  according 'to  the  terms  of  peace,  tells  us  what 
is  to  be  done  •,  but  at  any  rate,  he,  Mr.  Mure,  can  have 
no  claim  as  an  individual  to  my  fortune  :  he  mull  ac- 
count for  it  to  fomebody. 

I  am  extremely  concerned  at  the  embarraflment  our 

coulin  S gives  you  with  regard  to  the  legacy,  but  it 

is  the  very  error  of  the  moon  ;  ihe  comes  more  near  the 
earth  than  (lie  was  wont  to  do,  and  makes  men  mad.  Is 
my  wortlv.eft  friend  Butler  alive,  and  amongft  you  ?  if 
he  is,  a  thoufand  bleflings,  in  my  name,  on  his  head. 
God  Almighty,  my  dear  lifter,  give  you  long  life,  eafe, 
and  fpirits,  is  devoutly  the  wilh  of 

Your  mod  affectionate  brother, 

CHARLES  LEE. 


FINIS. 


Date  Due 


(WWaSH 

mj  b 

I 

OEC  1  2  '« 

"M     q        »4J 

I 

MOVlW 

^23.573      L477M  ,5024 


*.\ 


• 


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